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“‘come IX ! ’ shout?:d the old max over the dix 
OK THE TEMPEST.” — {Page 20.) 




DADDY DAN 


BY 

MARY T. WAGGAMAN 

AUTHOR OF “ THE PLAYWATER PLOT,” ”>AN NOBODY,” 
” LITTLE MISSY,” ETC. 



New York, CiNaNNATi, Chicago 

BENZIGER BROTHERS 

PRINTERS TO THE HOLY APOSTOLIC SEE 

1907 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

MAH 18 1907 

u^Copyrl^ht Entry 



CLASS 


Copyright, 1907, by Benziger Brothers. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

CHAPTER I. 

Neddy 7 

CHAPTER II. 

A Stormy Visit 20 

CHAPTER HI. 

Daddy Dan 33 

CHAPTER IV. 

Home Again 47 

CHAPTER V. 

Old Friends 62 

CHAPTER VI. 

Push and Pull 76 

CHAPTER VH. 

“ Special Delivery "" 92 

CHAPTER VIH. 

Neddy’s Visitor 107 

CHAPTER IX. 

A Plucky Venture . 122 

CHAPTER X. 

Doubt and Danger 136 

CHAPTER XI. 

A Surprise 150 

CHAPTER XII. 

Conclusion 166 




DADDY DAN 


CHAPTER I 

NEDDY 

Only three days more 1 ” 

Swinging on the big barnyard gate, 
Neddy Ray made the woeful calculation. 
Only three days more at Valley Farm. 

Three days more of such glad, free, wide 
life as his thirteen city-bound years had 
never known. 

Three days more to ride the farm horses 
down to creek and smithy, to drive the 
sleek cows home through the clover fields, 
to hunt eggs in the sweet-smelling hay. 

Three days more with Jim and Dave, and 
Dick and Towser, with the brindled calf 
that had arrived just a week before him, 
1 


8 


NEDDY 


and the new chickens that had clipped the 
shell under his wondering eye. 

Three days more of unstinted cream and 
porridge — home-made bread, thick with 
home-made honey, fried chicken, and apple 
pie. 

And then — then — back to the great 
Capital City that lay hazy under the Sep- 
tember sunshine fifty miles away, back to 
the big, crowded department store, where 
he sat all day in a little cage wrapping 
bundles for busy shoppers — back — ah, 
there was glad compensation in that — 
back to little Mama and the three tiny 
rooms they called home. 

For one hot summer noon, when the de- 
partment store was very crowded, and the 
air in his little cage heavy and still, the gay, 
busy scene had suddenly whirled round in 
a dizzy dance and turned black before Ned- 
dy’s eyes, and he had dropped — a little 
limp, senseless picket at his post. 

There had been a long, queer time, when 


NEDDY 


9 


he had seemed to be whirling madly over 
the shining stretches of the cash railway, 
tangled in yards of ribbon and held in 
meshes of lace, while Miss Marling’s call of 
‘‘ Quick, please, Neddy ! ” echoed in his ears 
and he could not find paper or twine to do 
his work. 

And then he had wakened in the cool, 
dim ward of a hospital, where Mama was 
crying softly by his little cot, and Sister 
Francesca holding ice to his head, and tell- 
ing her all was right now, the crisis was 
past. 

And then after another long, quiet time 
that seemed all jelly and broth and — other 
tantalizing girl goodies — when he could 
have picked a Christmas turkey to its bones, 
the doctors had sent him to Valley Farm 
for a whole month — a wonderful month, 
whose passing hours Neddy was sadly 
counting now — 

“ Hi, there ! ’’ called black Jim, as he 
came loaded with harness from the big 


lO 


NEDDY 


stables, “ too fine a day for gate-swinging, 
little Marse. Better get out dem crooked 
pins ob yurn and scuttle down ter de river. 
Uncle Si says the fish is biting like fleas 
long Roper's Rocks.” 

“ Oh, yes, come please, won't you, Jim? '' 
was the eager reply. 

‘‘ Wisht I could,” said Jim woefully. 
“ Got der ile all dis harness and clar out de 
cribs, and do no end of things. 

“ Ole man a roarin' bout keeping a lot ob 
lazy niggahs eating dar heads off and 
swears we'll have to stir lively or quit. 
Why don't you hoof it off by your own self, 
little Marse ? ” 

I, I can't,” answered Ned. “ Mrs. 
Burroughs said I must not go fish in the 
rocks alone. I can't swim, you know, and 
it isn't safe.” 

Dat's so,” said Jim. “ De current 
down dar runs like a mill stream shuah, 
and dem rocks as slippery as if dey wus 
greased. I tell you what's nex' bes'. 


NEDDY 


n 


though, Marse Ned. Peek-a-boo is thick 
with fox grapes and the women folks is 
giving cash down de bucket fur em. You 
kin make a dollar easy if you’ll cut long 
right now ’fore all de little niggahs lets 
loose on ’em.” 

^‘Oh, can I?” said Ned eagerly. “I 
would like to make a dollar, Jim, to take a 
present home to Mama. I am going on 
Thursday, you know, and a dollar would 
buy something nice — don’t you think it 
would, Jim?” 

You bet it would,” answered Jim em- 
phatically; “you kin get a diamond breast 
pin at Hooker’s for half the money — ” 

“ Oh, but she wouldn’t like that,” an- 
swered Ned, whose commercial life had 
made him wise in the ways of womankind. 
“ But I could stop at the store on my way 
home and buy her a pretty neckpiece or 
handkerchief or comb. My Mama is pretty 
— pretty and young, yet, Jim, though she 
dresses in black all the time.” 


12 


NEDDY. 


‘"A widdy woman, I guess,” hazarded 
Jim. 

“ Yes,” answered Ned, ‘‘ my papa died 
when I was only eight years old.” 

‘‘ Had time nuif to get you another,” 
grinned Jim. 

But Ned’s little freckled face flushed at 
the word. 

“ Oh, she wouldn’t — she’ll never do 
that,” he answered quickly. We don’t 
want another — neither Mama nor I. I’ll 
be grown up pretty soon, and then I’ll 
do all the work, and Mama can stop sew- 
ing and rest — ” 

You’d better start bisness in the fox 
grapes right now,” said Jim, showing his 
white teeth in a friendly smile. 

I will,” answered Neddy eagerly, '' I’ll 
get a bucket from Mrs. Burroughs, and 
start right away. What do fox grapes 
look like, Jim?” 

Lor’ ! ” exclaimed Jim, staring at the 
little figure — trig and trim even in the 


NEDDY 


13 


well-worn blue serge suit that showed in 
mud and grass stains it had been indeed a 
holiday garb. You is city-rigged shuah. 
Fox grapes ! why they look like grapes and 
nuthing else. It’s well thar ain’t no pison 
blueberries round, or you’d want a keeper, 
but thar ain’t nuthing but grapes in sight 
now ’cept poke and sumac, and I reckon 
you ain’t dumb nuff to pick them. You 
needn’t go bother folks at the house. I 
kin let you have a tin bucket heah.” 

And armed with the light if somewhat 
rusty pail Jim brought from the stable, Ned 
was soon crossing the wide stretch of 
meadow on his way to Peek-a-boo that, 
veiled in soft blue haze, rose steep and 
high above the valley. 

Peak Renien ” was the true name gfivcn 
to this mountain height during the war, 
from its wide, sweeping outlook over the 
surrounding country ; Peek-a-boo,” the 
cognomen to which darkey dialect had re- 
duced it in these latter years, when remote 


H 


NEDDY 


from all roadways it had lapsed into a fierce 
frowning strength that seemed to forbid 
approach. Wooded heavily with pine and 
cedar, tangled with brier and vine, it rose 
above the valley, its sharp summit veiled in 
a blue haze as if the smoke of bygone camp 
fires still lingered there, — fires that flared 
into angry flames when the mountain tem- 
pest gathered and the war of olden battle 
seemed again to thunder down the shaking 
rocks. Eerie stories from those dark days 
still hung like the battle smoke about Peek- 
a-boo, ghostly riders were said to gather in 
its midnight shadows, strange signal lights 
to flash from its gloomy height, old camp 
songs to echo through its silence. 

But these were only terrors of the night 
— with the coming of twilight Peek-a-boo 
veiled itself in silvery mists, and became a 
dim, spectral cloudland, mysterious and in- 
accessible, but with the golden September 
sunshine bright upon its frowning brow, its 
heavy sides wreathed with scarlet creepers. 


NEDDY 


15 


the breeze sweeping through its pines sweet 
with the perfume of purpling grapes, old 
Peek-a-boo had a charm that banished all 
thoughts of fear. 

So it was without any hesitation that Ned 
clambered up the rugged path, looking in 
vain for the plentiful crop which was to fill 
his pail and buy little Mother’s holiday 
present, but alas! Jim’s friendly tip had 
been given too late — every vine was 
stripped bare. 

And straggling down the mountain side, 
their battered pails and pans brimming with 
purple fruit, came three, four, five, bare- 
legged little pickaninnies led by Uncle Si’s 
twelve-year-old Josh, as keen-eyed a spec- 
ulator as ever cornered a grape market. 

Gee whitakins ! ” exclaimed Ned in 
dismay. “ You’ve got them all, haven’t 
you?” Josh paused, a glint of triumph in 
his eyes, as he surveyed the eager face, the 
empty pail of his hopeless competitor. 

Looks lak wc had,” he answered; 


i6 


NEDDY 


we’s stripped dis heah ground shuah. 
You see, Mam, she’s cook up to Judge 
Trumel’s, and dey’s putting up jelly. So 
we sot off at sun-up dis mawning to get 
all we could. You be a looking for grapes, 
too?” 

‘‘ Yes,” answered Ned disappointedly, 
but there’s no use — you haven’t left 
any.” 

Dunno ’bout dat,” said Josh reflect- 
ively. Spec thar’s plenty more up higher. 
Dese here chillun clear done tired, so we 
got to go home, but ef you hev a mind to 
climb de rocks, you’ll find plenty grapes, up 
de top.” 

Is it very far?” asked Neddy, who 
since his month of whirl in the cash rail- 
way had not quite his usual nimble 
strength. 

“ Wal, it ain’t fur zackly, but it’s tol’able 
high,” said Josh, more’n these heah chillun 
could climb, so we didn’t try it.” 

Oh, then, I will,” said Ned, cheered by 


NEDDY 


17 

the thought of untouched harvest. I'm 
not afraid of climbing if that’s all.” 

“ Ye kin try it,” said Josh doubtfully, 
“ But you’d best move quick. Thar’s a big 
black cloud down ter de Gap and Peek-a- 
boo ain’t no good place in a storm. We’se 
gwine home. You, Luella Jane! What 
you mean by tipping over your pan of 
grapes like that an’ a wasting good money. 
Go long now, Thomas Jefferson, you all 
make tracks from dis mountain quick, for 
de ole man is a growling. He’ll come 
down and cotch you.” And hurrying his 
straggling flock away, Josh left Neddy to 
face the situation alone. 

For a moment he hesitated, considering 
the parting warning, and then — well, 
Neddy had not been perched above a bar- 
gain counter for eighteen months without 
learning that there are tricks in any trade. 
Josh was trying to scare him off — that 
was plain. And resolving that if the 
grapes were on the mountain top he would 


i8 


NEDDY 


not go back with an empty pail, Ned kept 
steadily on his way, despite the low mut- 
terings that reached his ear as he clam- 
bered up the rocky path that seemed to 
grow steeper and rougher at every step, 
until it vanished utterly in a great heap of 
moss-grown boulders, ruins of an old forti- 
fication that had once guarded the moun- 
tain pass. But there are soldiers now as 
there were then, and our Neddy was fol- 
lowing the flag of love up these frowning 
heights to-day even though his only arms 
were a brave heart and a rusty pail. So he 
scrambled up the old redoubt heedless of 
the vicious thornbush that caught his sleeve 
and the sharp stones that scraped his shin. 

But old “ Peek-a-boo ” in angry mood 
was not to be braved so defiantly. 

Just as our little soldier reached the last 
big rock of the crumbling wall, a blinding 
flash lit the sky, and with the roar of a hun- 
dred batteries the swift mountain tempest 
was upon him. 


NEDDY 


19 

The flash and crash were too much for 
Neddy; he lost his slippery footing, his 
pail tumbled one way and he rolled down in 
blackness, and roar and flooding rain, he 
did not know where — 

Thunder and lightning 1 ’’ shouted a 
deep, hoarse voice that made him scramble 
up to his feet in new terror. "Who the 
blazes are you?” 


CHAPTER II 


A STORMY VISIT 

Neddy could only stare dumbly at the 
speaker, a tall, gaunt, grizzled man in a 
rough grey suit and shabby slouch hat, be- 
neath which a pair of keen, dark eyes 
flashed fiercely under shaggy brows. 

All the stories he had ever heard of the 
spirits of Peek-a-boo seemed to take shape 
and form before our hero’s startled gaze. 
For really in this awful gloom, lit only by 
the glare of the lightning, with the thunder 
crashing in deafening peals from peak to 
peak, it would have been no wonder if the 
restless old ghosts that held Peek-a-boo in 
the darkness should awake. 

“ Come in ! ” shouted the old man over 
the din of the tempest. ‘‘Are you deaf, 
dumb or blind, you young idiot ? Come in, 
20 


A STORMY VISIT 21 

say, out of the storm, before you’re killed 
outright.” 

And the bewildered boy was jerked for- 
ward into the open door of an old cabin, 
that hidden in vines and bushes, had es- 
caped his eye. 

“ George ! you’re white,” said Neddy’s 
host as he slammed and bolted the door 
against the rain. Here, drink this,” and 
he poured something from a big bottle. 
“ That was a pretty tall tumble you had. 
Are you hurt ? ” 

“ No — no — sir,” stammered Neddy, his 
breath nearly taken by the fiery draught he 
had gulped down. “ I’m — not — hurt at 
all.” 

** It would have served you right if you 
had broken your neck — hunting me out 
like this — you’re from Washington, I 
know.” 

The keen eyes flashed fiercely at Neddy. 

Ye — yes, sir,” was the astonished an- 


swer. 


22 


A STORMY VISIT 


Didn’t you hear that I had sworn that 
if anybody followed me up here I’d shoot 
him on sight ? ” 

Sir ! ” gasped Neddy, quite incapable of 
further speech. 

“ Well, I did. I swore that very thing. 
I tell you, young man, you’d better have 
tackled a bear or a wild cat in its mountain 
den. If you hadn’t tumbled down nearly 
dead, as I thought, at my feet, I don’t know 
what I would have done. As it is — as it 
is — well, out with your business. What 
do you bring ? ” 

“ N — n — nothing, sir,” stammered 
Neddy, who between the crash of the storm 
outside and this alarming old man within 
felt that half Peek-a-boo’s terrors had been 
untold. 

Nothing ! ” echoed his companion, while 
an awful clap of thunder seemed to empha- 
size his word, “ Nothing! Oh, it’s too late 
to back out now, young man. Turn out 
your pockets. Lord, no bag 1 ” &s with 


A STORMY VISIT 


23 


a shaking hand Ned proceeded to obey and 
jackknife, marbles, crooked nails, pennies 
rattled down on the floor. I want your 
papers, your papers.^’ 

“I — I — haven’t any, sir,” gasped the 
frightened boy. 

‘‘You haven’t any?” shouted his host 
above the thunder peal that shook the 
rocks. “ Do you mean you’ve lost them, 
you young scoundrel ? Where, when, how ? 
speak out quick; quick or I can’t keep my 
hands off you. Good Lord I you don’t 
know what mischief you may have done, 
boy — scattering my private papers over 
the country. WTiere did you miss them — 
when ? ” And the speaker caught Neddy 
by the shoulder fiercely. 

“ Let me go,” cried the boy desperately, 
“let me go, I tell you. I haven’t your 
papers. I never had them. I don’t know 
what you’re talking about. I came up here 
to-day looking for — for fox grapes.” 

“ Fox grapes ! ” roared Neddy’s compan- 


24 


A STORMY VISIT 


ion in a fresh outburst, fox grapes ! Why, 
you lying young reprobate, didn’t you tell 
me just now you came from Washington. 
Aren’t you a District Messenger boy ? ” 

No, I’m not, I’m not — I’m a bundle- 
wrapper at Roreham’s Department Store 
and I’ve been at Valley Farm for a month. 
And I would not tell a lie for the whole 
world,” continued Neddy, honest indigna- 
tion mastering all fears. I did come up 
here just to gather fox grapes.” 

Fox grapes ! fox grapes ! ” — the old 
man stared for a moment at the small 
speaker and then, to Neddy’s new terror, 
sank back in a camp chair and seemed to 
go oif into a fit. He coughed, choked, 
spluttered and sneezed, stamping and 
swearing between times ferociously. 

Speechless with fright, Neddy was mak- 
ing a break for the door when he was 
caught in a grip of steel. 

“ Don’t,” gasped his terrifying compan- 
ion, ‘^wait, wait, until I get my breath; 


A STORMY VISIT 


25 


laughing always sets me off like this. 
Don’t run, boy; you’ll get drowned out in 
that flood. 

“ Fox grapes — oh, Lord — and I 
thought, I thought — confound this hay 
fever! I’d rather be dead outright.” 

“ Fever 1 ” Neddy caught the familiar 
word and felt he understood — The poor 
man was ill, delirious, perhaps, even as he 
had been a little while ago. 

Oh, have you the fever ? ” he asked 
sympathetically. 

Have I got it ? Thunderation, no,” an- 
swered his companion as another sneezing 
fit struck him. The durned thing has got 
me — kerchoo — kerchoo — kerchoo — 
hand me that bottle. Sonny. I’ll have to 
stop this if I kill myself — ” 

“Oh, no — no,” said Neddy in alarm, 
“ you mustn’t, indeed you mustn’t. I’ve had 
the fever very bad myself, and know — you 
ought not to take medicine yourself. You 
ought to have a doctor — or go to' the hos- 


26 


A STORMY VISIT 


pital. They’ll take you in there and treat 
you fine.” 

They will, eh ? ” was the grim rejoinder. 

Fine’' repeated his young adviser. 
“ Give you a nice bed, and ice bags, and 
broth, and jelly, and everything you want, 
and they won’t charge you a cent.” 

“ They won’t, eh ? ” There was an odd 
twinkle in the old man’s keen eye. “ Are 
you quite sure of that ? ” 

“ Oh, yes. I’m sure, when people are — 
are poor, you know,” continued Ned, with 
a quick glance around the bare little cabin. 
“ And you’d better go as soon as you can. 
I’m' afraid. I’m really afraid ” — the young 
speaker hesitated about giving so alarming 
an opinion — “ that — that you’ll never get 
well up here alone.” 

“ I’m beginning to think the same thing 
myself. Though I’ve heard that for hay 
fever there isn’t a better place.” 

" Hay fever ! ” repeated Ned. Oh, I 
don’t know anything about that. I didn’t 


A STORMY VISIT 


27 


have hay fever. Is it as bad as typhoid ? ” 

“ Worse, a thousand times worse. I’d 
rather have typhoid, cholera, smallpox, and 
bubonic plague all rolled into a bunch. 
It’s one of those low, sneaking, pestiferous 
things that are too mean to kill a fellow 
outright, but just keep him swearing be- 
cause he isn’t dead.” 

But, the doctor, if you had a doctor,” 
said Ned — whose faith in those skilful 
friends was firm. 

“ Blast the doctors ! ” said the other, 
though there was a humorous twitch about 
the comers of his mouth. I’m up here to 
get rid of them — I’m up here to fight it 
out myself. I am going higher to-morrow. 
If mountain air is what I want. I’ll get it, 
if I have to climb to the clouds. Sit down 
now, and let’s make friends. This con- 
sarned sneezing has eased off, and I can be 
civil. I gave you a rough welcome — but 
I thought you were trying some trick on 
me. You said you were from the Capital 


28 


A STORMY VISIT 


you see — and — and — well, I know some- 
thing of the youngsters there. They’re 
sharpers I tell you — skin you with their 
eyes shut.” 

“ That’s mean,” said Neddy, dirty 
mean. How did they skin you ? ” 

“ Oh, I didn’t say they had — I said they 
would if they could — know it from past 
experience. But you’re not that pattern. 
I’m sure.” 

“ No, I’m not,” answered Neddy ; I 
wouldn’t skin anybody, especially — ” He 
hesitated, but his companion concluded the 
sentence — “ such a poor old shaky fellow 
as me. But they try it, my boy, they try 
it. That’s one reason I like to get off on 
the mountain top. There are no skin 
games here.” 

“ But you don’t live here always — all 
alone?” said Neddy in dismay. 

“ Well, no, not always,” was the answer, 
‘‘ not always. When the weather gets 
wintry, I generally hang around town 


A STORMY VISIT 


29 

somewhere and do a little work to keep 
me warm.” 

Oh, Fm sorry — I mean that’s an awful 
sad way to live,” said Neddy. Mama 
and I are poor, too, but we’ve got three 
nice little rooms with ruffled curtains to the 
windows, and a couch with pretty pillows 
that turns into a bed at night and a nice 
little gas stove to cook on and three pots of 
geraniums and a rocking chair and lots of 
things. If I get a raise Christmas — I’m 
pretty sure of one — I mean to buy a rug. 
I can get one on the installment plan for 
fifty cents a week.” 

Do you mean that you, you run this 
establishment alone?” asked th^ old man, 
his keen eyes softening strangely as he 
looked at the small figure on the old camp 
chair at his side. Where is your father ? ” 
“ Oh, he is dead,” answered Neddy sadly; 
“ he has been dead a long time — five years. 
And he didn’t leave us any money, so Mama 
came to Washington to get a government 


30 A STORMY VISIT 

office. But she couldn't pass the examina- 
tion." 

“ Oh, she couldn’t, eh ? ’’ and there was 
an odd gleam in the speaker’s eye. 

For she got nervous, I guess,’’ con- 
tinued Neddy gravely. Because my 
Mama knows a lot. She teaches me at 
night since I’ve stopped going to school. 
But she couldn’t remember about Chapul- 
tepec or the Bay of Funday, or who fought 
the battle of Stony Point — and things that 
I know myself. Poor little Mama! She 
cried all night about it. And then Mrs. 
Ross got her work from Roreham’s and 
she has been doing Infant Outfits ever 
since.’’ 

‘‘What kind of fits?’’ asked Neddy’s 
companion perplexedly. 

“ Baby clothes, you know ; she makes 
them fine,’’ answered Neddy. “ Sometimes 
she gets seven dollars a week.’’ 

“ Seven dollars — good Lord I ’’ 

“ But she can’t do that now,’’ continued 


A STORMY VISIT 


31 


Neddy, who hadn’t had such a chance to 
talk of home and mother for four whole 
weeks ; “ her eyes began to hurt so, the 
doctor said she mustn’t sew at night, so I 
had to stop school and go to work. Rore- 
ham gave me a place as bundle boy, at 
twelve dollars a month—” 

“ Kerchoo — kerchoo — ” the hay fever 
caught Neddy’s hearer quite viciously. 

‘‘ Come out, my boy,” he said huskily, 
‘‘ come out into the air. The durned thing 
has got me again. The storm is over, I 
think, and — Billy, Johnny, what did you 
say your name was ? ” 

Neddy, sir — Edward Wharton Ray,” 
was the answer. 

“ A good name, a first-rate name. Shake 
hands on it, my boy, Mr. Edward Whar- 
ton Ray, you are a brick — the good old- 
fashioned brick needed to build things up 
straight and square in these shaky days. 
Let’s get out of this dark hole, into the 
sunshine together.” 


32 


A STORMY VISIT 


The speaker pushed open the cabin door 
just in time to prevent another fit of sneez- 
ing and they stepped out on a wide porch, 
canopied with interlacing vines. 


CHAPTER III 


DADDY DAN 

Neddy could scarce believe his own eyes, 
so swift and sudden had been the change. 

The darkness had lifted ; the black storm 
clouds torn into jags and tatters, were 
sweeping down the valley, and Peek-a-boo 
was laughing in the sunshine again. 

And Neddy’s new friend seemed to have 
changed like the mountain. The frown 
was gone from his shaggy brow, the flash 
of the keen eyes had softened, the rugged 
face had grown friendly and kind. And, 
jeweled with raindrops, the grape vines 
tangled and twisted from rock to rock, 
heavy with purple fruit. 

Gee whiz ! look at them,” said Neddy 
breathlessly. ‘‘If I only had my pail! 
33 


DADDY DAN 


34 

But I dropped it when I tumbled down 
here.” 

“ Let us see if we can’t find something 
that will do as well.” And turning back 
into the cabin, the old man brought out a 
basket. We’ll clear this out first and then 
go for grapes to fill it. I don’t know how 
you feel, but I am hungry as a mountain 
bear.” 

And though Neddy had done full justice 
to a good dinner before he started on his 
quest, the sight of that open basket made 
him hungry, too. It was such a remarkable 
basket to have found its way up here. 
Wide and deep and strong, and packed with 
all sorts of good things: cold chicken, and 
ham sandwiches, brown bread and cheese, 
and pickles, a jar of sweet ginger, a bottle 
of wine. 

“ Help yourself,” said Neddy’s host, sit- 
ting down on the flat log that served as 
doorstep. '' Don’t be afraid ; I’m off to- 
night and don’t want to carry all this grub 


DADDY DAN 35 

with me, so we may as well lick things 
clean.” 

And after his climb, his fright, his gen- 
eral stirring up, Neddy was sharp set 
enough to need no second invitation. 
Chicken sandwiches, brown bread, van- 
ished as only a boy who has to even up for 
six weeks of fever diet can make things 
vanish, while his new friend, who couldn’t 
begin to keep up with his guest, looked 
on — a friendly twinkle in his deep-set 
eyes. 

“ Nothing like mountain air to give a 
chap an appetite,” he said; “have a drop 
of the wine now? No? That’s right — 
you don’t need it — I do.” 

Oh, no, I don’t want another thing, 
thank you — Mr. — Mr. — you haven’t 
told me your name yet,” said Neddy, look- 
ing up at his host inquiringly. 

“ My name ? ” repeated the old man. 
“ Names don’t count much here on the 
mountain top; one is about as good as the 


36 DADDY DAN 

other. But where I come from folks call 
me Daddy Dan.’’ 

^‘Daddy Dan ! ” echoed Neddy. Daddy 1 
But that isn’t — isn’t a real name — it’s 
just fun.” 

“ I suppose it was just fun at first, you 
know. But — ” the speaker had drawn out 
a pipe and was filling it from a leather 
bag — “ after a while I learned to like it. 
To a lonely old fellow without anybody 
to care for it sounds sort of friendly and 
sociable.” 

“ I guess it does,” said Neddy softly, as 
if he understood. 

“ So I stick to it,” said Daddy Dan, as he 
scratched a match and puffed his pipe into 
glow, or, rather, the name sticks to me.” 

There was a moment’s pause, during 
which Neddy looked up into the smoker’s 
face with a new sympathy. 

And didn’t — didn’t you ever have a 
wife or children or — or anybody ? ” he 
asked hesitatingly. Again there was 


DADDY DAN 


Z7 


silence while Daddy Dan stared through 
his smoke at the little thin hand that had 
stolen up on his knee. 

“ Yes/’ he answered at last. ‘‘ I had 
once a long time ago. But don’t you ever 
marry a girl until you know how to take 
care of her and have money enough to do 
it right. I took my little girl off to the 
woods and expected her to rough it with 
me, Sonny, and she couldn’t do it ; she tried 
hard but she couldn’t and she and her baby 
died. That — that sort of broke me up. 
Sonny, and I’ve fought shy of women folks 
ever since. Come,” said Daddy Dan with 
an abrupt change of tone, as he shook the 
ashes from his pipe, let us take our bas- 
ket now and go after the fox grapes.” 

And they went over the sunlit heights. 
Daddy Dan leading, by ways that Josh and 
his little crew could never reach. Wild, 
sweet ways they were, where the grapes 
grew thick and ripe and the scarlet plumes 
of the sumach were waving, and Autumn 


DADDY DAN 


38 

was already flaunting her conquering ban- 
ners of crimson and gold. 

Daring ways — that Neddy would never 
have ventured alone ; around the sharp, 
rocky crest where old Peek-a-boo went 
sheer down a hundred feet below the nar- 
row bridle path, across the mountain 
streamlet bridged only by a single log, 
down the dark, rocky stairway of the 
gorge, where the waterfall took three foam- 
ing tumbles that sent its waters ice-cold 
into the valley. 

Reckless ways indeed they were to our 
little bundle boy, but Daddy Dan led — 
and wherever Daddy Dan led people fol- 
lowed even though the paths were steeper 
and rockier than the heights of Peek-a-boo. 
For they felt as Neddy did to-day that the 
keen eye, the strong arm, the steady hand 
of their guide could never fail. 

And when at last, their basket heaped 
with grapes. Daddy Dan and his little 
friend reached the lower ridge, the sun was 


DADDY DAM 


39 


sinking in the mountain gap, and old Peek- 
a-boo's shining heights had vanished into 
cloud and mist again. 

There's your road," said Daddy Dan, 
pointing to the beaten track that led down 
to the valley. Better take your grapes, 
and skip along so as to be home before 
dark, or folks will begin to worry about 
you." 

“ I am afraid they will," said Ned, ‘‘ I 
didn’t know it was so late. Gee! I've had 
a fine time with you. Daddy Dan ; I’ll never 
forget it. And thank you ever so much 
for helping me to pick the grapes. I’ll get 
nearly a dollar for them, I guess, there’s 
such a lot.” 

Going to sell them are you ? " asked 
Daddy Dan gruffly. I thought you were 
getting them to take to your mother.” 

‘‘ Oh, no ! She wouldn’t want all these," 
explained Neddy. ^*And we can’t afford 
to put up jelly. It takes too much sugar. 
I’ll sell them, so I can buy a little present 


DADDY DAN 


40 

for Mama — a collar or handkerchief or 
something pretty. And to-morrow I’ll 
bring you back the basket and your half of 
the money.” 

My half of the money ! ” echoed Daddy 
Dan. 

“Why, yes, half the grapes belong to 
you,” said Neddy simply. 

“ Oh, I see, I see,” said Daddy Dan, 
“but you needn’t bother. Take my share 
to your mother, too, with my compliments. 
And you may as well keep the basket, too 
— I’ll be gone to-morrow.” 

“Oh, will you?” asked Neddy ruefully. 
“ I'm sorry.” 

“ Want another grape hunt, eh ? ” a 
kindly smile hovering about the lips. 

“ Yes, I do — I never had a nicer time in 
my life. And I like you, too. But I’m 
going home myself on Thursday and I’m 
afraid I’ll never see you again unless — ■ 
unless,” and Neddy’s face brightened, “ you 
could come to see me in town.” 


DADDY DAN 41 

I might — if youM like to have me/’ 
said Daddy Dan. 

‘‘ Oh, I would,” said Neddy eagerly, 
‘‘and Mama would, too. She is always 
glad to see my friends. And — and if you 
haven’t any place to go, we’ve always got 
a nice, warm fire to sit by, and Mama will 
make you a hot cup of tea. And,” the 
speaker’s blue eyes brightened with further 
possibilities, “ I know Griggs, the shipping 
clerk at Roreham’s, real well. You might 
get a job when the holiday season comes 
on his wagons.” 

“ Think you’ve got the pull to put me in 
there, eh ? ” said Daddy Dan, who stood 
knitting his shaggy brows against the glow 
of the sunset, a suggestion of a smile again 
lighting up the rather grim countenance. 

“ Oh, I don’t know, I can’t promise, but 
I’ll try to do all I can. Griggs is a good 
fellow to work for and he would give you 
five dollars a week.” 

“ Five dollars a week ! ” repeated Daddy 


42 


DADDY DAN 


Dan, nodding. “ I’ve had worse offers, 
Sonny. I’ll think about it.” 

“ But you’ll find the warm seat by the 
fire and cup of tea sure, anyhow. Daddy 
Dan. If I had a piece of paper,” contin- 
ued Neddy, diving into his pocket, “ I’d 
write down our address.” 

“ Put it here,” said his new friend, pull- 
ing off a bit of birch bark from the tree 
beside him. That’s the sort of card for 
you and me. Sonny.” And taking out his 
stubby bit of pencil, Neddy wrote, 

EDWARD WHARTON RAY, 

1 15 BLANK ST., 

THIRD FLOOR BACK. 

“ You just walk up and knock,” he 
explained. It’s a dollar more a month 
rent, you see, when the girl answers the 
bell, and there’s no use in paying all that 
just for style.” 

“Not a bit,” answered Daddy Dan 
heartily. 


DADDY DAN 


43 


Come any time, only I am not home 
until after six,’’ Neddy continued, with 
hospitable eagerness. ‘‘ But Mama will 
be glad to see you, and you need not 
mind dressing up or anything like that, you 
know, for us. Come just as you are now.” 

‘‘ I will,” replied Daddy Dan, as his big 
brown hand closed over Neddy’s in a part- 
ing grip, I’ll look you up. Sonny, sure.” 


“ Land sakes ! ” cried good Mrs. Bur- 
roughs as in the last glow of the sunset 
Neddy appeared at the kitchen door with 
his basket of grapes, ‘‘ I’ve been that wor- 
ried about you, child, I couldn’t eat a bite 
of supper and was just going to send out 
some of the men to look you up. Where 
hev you been ? ” 

Up on the mountain top getting 
grapes,” was the gleeful answer. 

‘‘ Lord, I should say you hed,” exclaimed 
the good woman as she looked .at the bur- 
den Neddy deposited on the kitchen table. 


44 


DADDY DAN 


“ A little city chap like you to get all them ! 
I thought you would have been sheered to 
death in the storm. You got wet to the 
skin, I’ll be bound, and like as not will be 
down with pneumony to-morrow.” 

“ Oh, no, I won’t. I didn’t get wet at 
all. I met the nicest kind of an old man 
up on the mountain; he took me in and 
gave me lunch, and helped me to gather 
the grapes, and we had a fine time to- 
gether. Maybe you know him. He is 
called Daddy Dan.” 

Daddy Dan ! ” repeated Mrs. Bur- 
roughs. “ That ain’t no sort of Christian 
name for anybody, child. Was he black or 
white?” 

Oh, white,” replied Neddy, “ or rather 
a sort of nice brown, like he had been sun- 
burned, you know.” 

‘‘ And where did you say you met him ? ” 
asked Mrs. Burroughs curiously. 

Up there on Peek-a-boo, behind the 
pile of rocks. He was in a little cabin 


DADDY DAN 


45 

up there in the mountain — a dear little 
cabin ! ” 

“ Good Lord ! exclaimed the startled 
woman, don't tell me, child, you've been 
up to Rifle Rocks and in that hanted hut 
where no living critter has set foot this 
five years. Burroughs ! Burroughs ! " the 
good wife hailed her husband, who was 
smoking comfortably on the kitchen porch, 
“ where do you think this boy has been ? 
Up in the old moonshiner's hut on the 
mountain, where Bill Dolan was shot five 
years ago and nobody has dared to live 
ever since. Says he met an old man up 
there that calls himself Daddy Dan. Ever 
hear of sich a person. Burroughs ? " 

“ No," growled Burroughs, where 
would I hear of any such critter? I ain't 
going round looking fur trouble. Some 
rascal up there hiding from the sheriff, I 
reckon. Better keep clear of him, lad," 
continued the farmer in a kinder tone to 
Neddy. 


46 


DADDY DAN 


“ Folks that roost on the rocks a-top of 
Peek-a-boo ain’t there for no good.” 

Oh, but this, this was a real kind, nice 
old man, Mr. Burroughs,” said Neddy 
warmly. 

“ Kind ! nice ! ” chuckled Mr. Bur- 
roughs grimly. Them’s the worst sort of 
rascals, I’ve alius found, the very worst 
kind. Why, old Bill Dolan that was killed 
up thar fighting the revenue officers uster 
lead the mourners at revival meetings, and 
looked like the pictur of Moses holding the 
tables of the law.” 

“ You don’t know what sort of a des- 
perate rascal that old chap may be. Best 
give him a wide berth if you ever see him 
again, my boy, a very wide berth.” 

'' Oh, I can’t believe he is bad, Mr. Bur- 
roughs,” said Neddy eagerly. I just 
can’t. Daddy Dan may be in trouble up 
there, but he is good, good and straight 
and square, I know, I know.” 


CHAPTER IV 


HOME AGAIN 

Three days later the train was whirling 
Neddy down from the breezy uplands — 
home. 

He found it pretty hard to leave Valley 
Farm, everybody had been so good to him. 
Even the brindle calf rubbed its soft nose 
against his hand and looked up sorrowfully 
when he bade it good-bye. And Dan 
brought a parting gift of six pretty bird’s 
eggs in a carefully polished blacking box, 
and Jim presented him with a ring carved 
out of a peachstone, while Mrs. Burroughs 
packed Daddy Dan’s basket with a fat 
chicken, apples, and eggs, and a print of 
butter just from the churn. 

Ned choked up quite when the kind, 

47 


HOME AGAIN 


48 

motherly woman kissed him good-bye. 
And when Mr. Burroughs, having brought 
him down to the depot, checked his trunk 
and deposited Daddy Dan’s basket at his 
feet, shook his hand, and left a bright dime 
in it to buy some sweet stuff to chaw 
on,” Neddy had to wink hard to keep back 
the tears that would rise to his eyes. It 
was so hard to leave, he felt he would like 
to stay at Valley Farm forever if only little 
Mama would be there. 

Mama — ah, at that name, his heart 
gave a swift, glad leap. He plunged his 
hand into his pocket to see that his three 
silver quarters of grape money were safe. 
He was going back to Mama, and next 
summer, when he got his two weeks’ holi- 
day, he would bring her out to Valley 
Farm, and, oh, what fine times they would 
have together! 

And with this bright air castle rising be- 
fore him, Neddy brushed away the mist in 
his eyes, and looked out with a young 


HOME AGAIN 


49 


traveler’s interest on the flying landscape, 
where old Peek-a-boo still towered blue and 
shadowy in the growing distance. Was 
Daddy Dan still among those smoky 
heights ? Poor, lonely, friendless Daddy 
Dan, was he hiding there, as Mr. Bur- 
roughs had hinted, driven by some lawless 
act from the ways of men? Neddy 
thought of the fierce flash of the old man’s 
eye, his strange, threatening words at their 
first meeting, and feared sometimes Mr. 
Burroughs was right. 

But right or wrong that golden afternoon 
at Peek-a-boo remained undimmed in 
Neddy’s thought. Daddy Dan was a friend 
whom he would not forsake or forget. 

On and on swept the train — through 
wild, sweet wastes which the golden rod 
and asters still held for their own, past 
broad farm lands where the late corn was 
waving its tasselled tops, and the orchards 
were red with ripening fruit, by beautiful 
homes, with white pillared porches and vel- 


50 


HOME AGAIN 


vety lawns. And now the blue waters of 
the- Potomac gleamed through the trees, 
the beautiful Potomac that leaping down 
over rock and fall like a frolicsome boy, 
suddenly steadied into wide, noble life and 
sweeps from the nation’s Capital in un- 
broken majesty to meet the sea. 

Pointing like an uplifted finger through 
mist and haze, rose the white shaft of 
Washington monument, the great dome of 
the Capitol stood out against the Septem- 
ber sky. . With shriek of steam whistle and 
clang of bell, the train clattered into the 
depot and Neddy was home again. 

Leaving his trunk to be sent later, Neddy 
took up his basket and hurried to a store 
where he could buy Mama’§ present, a 
dainty neckpiece which the smiling sales- 
lady assured him had been marked down 
to half price, then boarding a street car, 
he soon reached the familiar door that 
opened at his knock and with a shout of 
joy he was in Mama’s arms once more. 


HOME AGAIN 


51 


“ My boy, my own darling boy,” the 
sweet, trembling cry was like the note of a 
mother bird, I did not expect you so 
soon. Oh, how well you look, and how 
sun-burned and freckled! My own dear 
little boy I And you are quite strong 
again, and have no more headaches and 
have had a real nice time ? ” 

“ Fine,” answered Neddy, his own voice 
shaking a little, as with his arms tight 
about Mama’s waist, he punctuated his 
remarks with kisses. Couldn’t have been 
finer. Mama, anywhere without you. 
Had everything splendid — chicken and 
cream, and apple dumplings — I brought 
that basket full of stuff Mrs. Burroughs 
sent you. Gee! She was nice, mended my 
clothes, and tucked me in bed at night, and 
gave me buttermilk and everything. And 
there were horses to ride, and cows and 
dogs, and the nicest little calf. You’d love 
that calf, I know. And little soft, yellow 
chickens that looked like canary birds. 


52 HOME AGAIN 

And they had the nicest stable boy, named 
Jim, and — ” 

Yes, Neddy, yes, sit down and take 
breath,’’ laughed Mama. 

‘‘ Oh, I can’t, I can’t,” he said as she 
drew him down on the sofa beside her, ‘‘ I 
just have to keep on talking to you, and 
hugging and kissing you. Mama. Oh ! 
how little you look after Mrs. Burroughs, 
and how white and sweet! Isn’t it sort of 
dark in here this evening. Mama ? ” 

Why, no, Neddy, the sun is on the 
other side of the house now,” 

Oh, I forgot. You see, the sun shines 
all sides at Valley Farm. But it isn’t cosy 
like this,” said Neddy loyally, looking with 
pride round the little parlor. “ Mrs. Bur- 
roughs don’t bother fixing things much. 
You’ve got new curtains to the windows. 
Mama.” 

No, dear, only the old ones laundried.” 

“ They look fine, and oh, mama, darl- 
ing, what a beautiful cushioned chair ! ” 


HOME AGAIN 


53 


‘‘ For you, Neddy ; you have been so sick 
I wanted you to have something comfort- 
able. I fixed it for you myself with an old 
frame Mrs. Munsey let me have out of her 
garret and Grandma’s silk crazy quilt, she 
made when I was a girl.” 

I never would have known it,” said 
Neddy delightedly. ''All silk and velvet 
and cushiony. It looks like it cost a hun- 
dred dollars. Mama.” And another boy- 
ish hug emphasized his satisfaction. " To 
think you worked so hard for mel* 

" You’ve been away so long, Neddy, so 
long and so far.” The sweet voice trem- 
bled as the speaker thought of those dark 
days in the hospital when with flushed 
cheeks and burning hands Neddy seemed 
journeying beyond love’s reach. " I wanted 
home to look bright and cosy, when you 
came back.” 

"It does, it does; it’s just the prettiest 
place I’ve seen since I left. Valley Farm 
isn’t in it with this parlor. Mama,” de- 


54 


HOME AGAIN 


dared Neddy manfully. “ And there ! I 
came very near forgetting — I’ve got a 
present for you, too,” he continued, produc- 
ing the neckpiece from his pocket. 

“ Why, Neddy, darling, it is lovely. 
Where — when — how did you get it, 
dear ? ” 

Earned it. Mama, earned it fair and 
square myself, picking grapes.” And 
Neddy launched eagerly into an account of 
his adventures on the haunted heights of 
Peek-a-boo, while his mother listened, her 
pretty face paling as she heard of the 
climb, the storm, the tumble, and last but 
not least, the exciting encounter with 
Daddy Dan. 

“ Oh, Neddy, Neddy,” she cried tremu- 
lously, you should never have dared that 
climb alone ! ” 

“ That climb ! ” Neddy laughed. You 
ought to have seen where Daddy Dan led 
me afterward, up and down over the rocks 
and heights and log bridges.” 


HOME AGAIN 


55 

Maybe, maybe he was a crazy man, 
Neddy/’ 

“ Oh, no — no, indeed — his head was 
level, you can bet. But, but — ” Neddy 
had told Mama everything since the time 
he could first speak, and he felt he must 
not conceal facts in the case now. “ The 
folks down at Valley Farm thought he had 
done something wrong, and was hiding — 
had been hunted up there, you know.” 

“ Hiding ! hunted ! ” echoed Mama in 
horror. ‘^And you were up on the moun- 
tain with a desperate man like that. Why, 
he might have killed you, Neddy.” 

And as Neddy thought of the blaze in 
Daddy Dan’s eye, the hoarse threat of his 
voice, the fierce grip of his hand, he felt 
for a moment that Mama’s fears were not 
altogether groundless. Then the loyal, 
boyish faith rose triumphant over all sus- 
picion. 

'' Oh, no, he wouldn’t — he would never 
hurt anybody, I know. Mama. He is sick 


S6 


HOME AGAIN 


and poor and hasn’t anyone to love or care 
for him. He lost his wife and little baby 
and I guess that made him what he is — 
lonely and sort of queer. It is an awful 
thing to have no one to love or care for, 
Mama.” 

Oh, it is, it is, indeed,” was the trem- 
bling answer, for Mama was thinking of 
those days and nights when Neddy walked 
far in the Valley of the Shadow, and the 
chill of such a loneliness lay like ice upon 
her heart. 

And I don’t think he has done anything 
very wrong, for he told me he came to 
town in winter, to look for work to keep 
him warm.” 

“ Poor old man ! ” said the tender little 
mother pityingly. 

“And so — I hope you won’t mind it. 
Mama, but I told him to come here,” said 
Neddy. 

Here ! ” echoed his mother in dismay. 
“A desperate, lawless character like that. 


HOME AGAIN 57 

Oh, Neddy, dearest, what will we do with 
him?” 

I ought not to have done it without 
asking you, I know,” continued Neddy re- 
morsefully, “ but he looked so lonely and 
sad up there all alone, it just — it just 
popped out. Mama. And even — even if 
he isn’t very good, it won’t hurt us. Mama, 
to have him sit by the fire and get warm 
and have a nice cup of tea.” The boyish 
arms were around Mama’s neck, the blue 
eyes looked into hers wistfully, the young 
voice had a new tone in its pleading, a 
tender note of pity and sympathy learned 
perhaps on those dark days when he was 
so close to Heaven’s gate. 

Mama thought of One who had not 
scorned to eat with publicans and sinners, 
and after a moment’s pause she answered 
softly, “As you please, Neddy, darling, it 
is your home and your fireside. Ask whom 
you please.” 

“ I thought you’d say that,” said Neddy 


58 


HOME AGAIN 


in a relieved tone. “ And maybe he’ll 
never come at all.” 

Let us hope that he won’t,” was Mrs. 
Ray’s silent comment, as she pictured to 
herself a fierce, desperate old outlaw in- 
stalled as guest in her tiny little home. But 
she only kissed Neddy and promised that 
Daddy Dan should have his warm welcome 
and hot cup of tea whenever he appeared. 

And then they talked of other things. 
Mama had her quiet news to tell of the 
long, lonely time since Neddy had been 
gone. How kind Mrs. Ross had carried 
her off to spend three days in her beauti- 
ful country-home, how she had four weeks’ 
steady work on the clothes for the new 
baby in a foreign legation, how Father 
Maurice had called every week to ask after 
his favorite acolyte, and Sister Francesca 
had saved all the dead roses from the con- 
vent altar for Mama’s jar of potpourri. 
“ It is sweeter than ever this year, Neddy,” 
and she lifted the top from a quaint old 


HOME AGAIN 59 

blue and white vase on the mantel and the* 
air was filled with a delicate fragrance that 
seemed to Neddy the very breath of home. 

“ Oh, it is sweet,” he said delightedly, 
“ sweeter even than the fresh roses of Val- 
ley Farm. But open the basket. Mama, 
and see all the good things I have brought 
you.” 

“ Oh, what a fine basket, Neddy ; we 
must send it back to Burroughs when we 
have unpacked it.” 

“ No, it’s mine,” answered Neddy. 

Daddy Dan gave it to me for the grapes.” 

“ Daddy Dan ! ” exclaimed little Mother ; 
“ why, how queer — and here is a caterer’s 
card on it, Neddy.” 

“ I guess that got left under the grapes 
when Daddy Dan gave it to me. Gee ! we 
had a fine lunch together — chicken, ham 
sandwiches, brown bread, with the grandest 
cheese, in little boxes, a jar of ginger, and 
everything good.” 

“ With that old tramp on the mountain 


6o 


HOME AGAIN 


top ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Ray with fresh sus- 
picion. ‘‘ Oh, Neddy, darling, where could 
he have got all those things ? 

I don’t know,” replied Neddy unsus- 
pectingly, “but he had them sure. But 
Mrs. Burroughs packed the basket this time 
for you — apples, chicken, eggs, butter, 
everything good. And I’m hungry as a 
bear. Let’s have dinner right away. 
Mama, please.” 

“And we’ll ask poor old Miss Whyte,” 
said his mother. “ She has been so anx- 
ious about you, Neddy, calling on her way 
upstairs every day to know if I had heard. 
She is one of those who have no one to 
love and care for, poor old soul. But — 
but — ” little Mother’s face shadowed and 
her voice took a note of anxious warn- 
ing. “ I don’t think I’d say anything about 
Daddy Dan to her or anyone else, Neddy. 
There is something — something queer 
about him — one might — might get him 
into trouble, dear.” 


HOME AGAIN 


6i 


She spoke hesitatingly, not liking to de- 
stroy Neddy’s trust in his friend. And as 
Neddy thought of the old gentleman’s 
“ queerness,” he agreed that Mama was 
wise and right. 


CHAPTER V 


OLD FRIENDS 

Little Miss Whyte lived higher up than 
the “ third floor/’ under the very eaves of 
the house where Neddy had his home. It 
was a big, old-fashioned house that had 
been a stately mansion standing back in its 
own low-bordered garden in the days “ be- 
fore the war.” But the great guns 
thundering along the Potomac woke Wash- 
ington from a sleepy southern town into 
the stirring life of a great capital, that 
bursting away from all its old land- 
marks stretched into new ways of beauty 
and growth. The old mansions of the 
past were left behind, the box-bordered 
gardens sliced into lots and streets. Mrs. 
Munsey rented her '' drawing room,” with 
62 


OLD FRIENDS 63 

its carved marble mantel and cracked mir- 
rors to a tailor. There was an engine 
house at the corner, and a score of 
tumbling negro cabins, gay with sunflow- 
ers, fringed the high, toppling bank across 
the street. 

But Neddy’s rooms looked down into a 
back yard that was a relic of the old gar- 
den. A big tree waved its spreading 
boughs; there were roses and hollyhocks, 
and ivy clambered over the high brick 
wall. 

And just above, with her queer little 
dormer windows jutting out into the tree- 
tops, poor Miss Whyte sat all day long 
making buttonholes for the tailor down- 
stairs. But, oh, how gladly she started up 
at sight of Neddy when he took up 
Mama’s invitation ; how her dim eyes 
brightened and her withered face puckered 
into smiles. Her dear, dear boy, she was 
so delighted to see him again. For Neddy 
and little Miss Whyte were old friends. 


64 


OLD FRIENDS 


Many a pleasant hour he had spent in her 
dormer window making button strings 
which were the envy of every small boy in 
the neighborhood. And he had been the 
loyal little gentleman to her always. He 
never told except to Mama, who had coun- 
selled silence on the subject, that she had 
china teeth that came out all together and 
wore two kinds of hair — straggling grey 
when she was busy sewing on her button- 
holes, and wavy brown when she went 
downstairs. 

“ Come to dinner ! ” echoed the poor old 
lady eagerly; why she would come to din- 
ner with Neddy and his dear mother, of 
course. And a delightful little dinner it 
seemed to Idiss Whyte, when in her best 
black dress, finished with a white lawn tie 
and a mourning brooch, her brown, wavy 
hair carefully adjusted in place, she ap- 
peared on the festive scene. 

The table was drawn close to the win- 
dow, where the old tree waved, A big 


OLD FRIENDS 65 

bunch of golden rod that Neddy nad put 
in his basket nodded in the painted vase. 
Aunt Amanda had sent Mama last Christ- 
mas. Aunt Amanda always sent em- 
broidered centrepieces or painted china, 
for rich relations in New York can’t realize 
that sometimes other things would be bet- 
ter — overshoes or flannels, or even half a 
ton of coal for the little open grate. 

Still, the painted vase and violet centre- 
piece filled Neddy’s heart with pardonable 
pride. And when they were set off to-day 
by the six rosebud plates, which he had 
won by getting twenty purchasers for a 
new silver soap, the table looked fine in- 
deed. And such a feast as it bore for these 
scantily fed sparrows under Mrs. Mun- 
sey’s eaves. The plump chicken, the jar of 
golden honey, the print of butter, the red 
apples, the bottle of cream — little Miss 
Whyte, who had not seen such rustic plenty 
for many a day, grew quite entertaining, 
as became the guest of honor. She had 


66 


OLD FRIENDS 


spent the Sunday previous with her Cousin 
Jane, who served '' out,’' or “ in,” as chance 
offered, in fashionable circles, and who was 
always brimful of interesting information 
about the great world that thrilled and 
throbbed beyond this old mansion of long 
ago. 

'' She has been three weeks at the 
Bonds,” continued little Miss Whyte, 
warming up under the cheering finale of 
a good cup of tea. I knew the time 
when Abijah Bond drove a gravel cart, my 
dears, but that’s neither here nor there. 
They’ve taken General Grayson’s house for 
the winter. And such splendor Cousin 
Jane says she never saw before, though 
she has seen much. Mirrors and painting 
and Persian rugs, and Miss Mildred home 
from Paris with ten trunks packed to the 
brim.” 

Ten trunks!” echoed Mrs. Ray. 
Neddy’s little mother did not fancy gossip, 
but knowing what a dull, dreary time Miss 


OLD FRIENDS 


67 


Whyte spent in her little nest upstairs, felt 
she must let her harmless chatter run on. 

Ten, my dear, no less — Cousin Jane 
helped the French maid to unpack them. 
As the girl told Jane, it's her young lady's 
fifth season and they are all determined 
she shall make a great match." 

" Poor girl ! " said Mrs. Ray, smiling. 
‘Ts she to be allowed no choice in the mat- 
ter herself?" 

Choice !" echoed Miss Whyte, nodding. 
“ She has indeed, and it's set high, I can 
tell you. Jane says the talk is all about 
Senator Devon, whom they met in Rome 
last spring. They have their eyes on him 
— she knows. But, Lord! it would be a 
pity — it would be a pity indeed — to have 
a heartless, worldly girl get a man like 
him." 

“ Why, do you know him ? " asked Mrs. 
Ray in some surprise. 

"'No, but Cousin Jane does," answered 
Miss Whyte. (“ No more tea, my dear 


68 


OLD FRIENDS 


Mrs. Ray, now — well, if you insist, just 
half a cup.) Cousin Jane has made his 
shirts this ten years or more. He won’t 
buy them from the best stores in town — 
says he wants them woman-made, as he had 
them when he was young. It’s three dozen 
every spring, my dear, at two dollars apiece 
for the making, which is a tidy sum, as 
you can see. And he coming up to her 
little place to have his neckband fitted, and 
laughing and joking with her when the 
whole country is ringing with his speeches 
and his doings — it does seem strange and 
queer sure. And if ever there’s a church 
fair or charity, she has only got to say the 
word, and it’s ten dollars out of his pocket 
every time. He may swear a bit, and talk 
rough about being bothered, but that’s only 
his way — and she don’t mind. 

You see, his wife was a Catholic, and 
though he don’t hold to any faith himself, 
he stands by the Church for her sake.” 

And so, her tongue loosened by repeated 


OLD FRIENDS 


69 


cups of tea, Miss Whyte gossiped on until 
Mama, seeing Neddy was restless, sug- 
gested that he should run out and see if 
some of the boys were not home from 
school. Neddie gladly escaped, for he had 
begun to find his guest a little tiresome. 
He bounded down the wide stairs, polished 
with the passing of many feet, through the 
door that stood open, for the accommoda- 
tion of Mrs. Munsey's guests, and out into 
the street, fairly butting into a big, square 
shouldered, pleasant-faced boy, a little older 
than himself, who had just turned the cor- 
ner. 

Look out there, where are you go- 
ing ? ” said this newcomer gruffly, and then 
with a sudden whoop he clapped his hands 
on Neddy’s shoulders. ‘‘ Why, hooray ! ” 
he cried jubilantly. “ Neddy, you old duf- 
fer, where did you drop from ? ” 

Bob ! ” said Neddy, quite as delighted 
as his old schoolmate. “ Gee, I’m glad to 
see you, Bob. I’m just back from the 


OLD FRIENDS 


70 

mountains — got home about two hours 
ago.” 

'' All right again ? ” asked Bob. “ Quite 
well — I mean.” 

“ Never felt better,” replied Ned heart- 
ily. 

‘‘ Good ! Fm glad, old fellow. I can^t 
tell you how I felt when I heard you were 
going to make a die of it.” 

‘‘ Did you hear that? ” asked Neddy with 
interest. 

Lord, yes ; Brother Joseph gave you 
out to be prayed for in class. Said what a 
good boy you were and all that sort of soft 
sawder they pile up on a fellow when 
he is down and out. Boys were just going 
to chip in and buy you a funeral wreath. 
Are you coming back to Saint Martin's this 
year?” 

No,” answered Neddy; ‘‘ can’t afford it. 
Going back to Roreham’s to-morrow. Got 
to work to help mother, you know.” 

I see,” said Bob, nodding. The boys 


OLD FRIENDS 


71 


had seated themselves on a ledge of the 
shelving bank across the street, where a 
flight of crooked steps went up to the sun- 
flowered height above. Why don’t you 
strike for something bigger than Rore- 
ham’s, Neddy?” 

‘‘ I’m not old enough,” was the answer. 

Oh, yes, you are, plenty,” said Bob 
confidently. I’d make a break for some 
of the Capitol plums myself, if father would 
let me. There’s Fred Rawlings getting over 
seventy-five a month as a Senate page.” 

“ What — what is a Senate page ? ” asked 
Neddy eagerly. 

A Senate page ! Why, it’s a cinch of a 
job, just running around the Capitol wait- 
ing on the big wigs there, with half your 
time to play.” 

How do you get there ? ” questioned 
Neddy breathlessly. 

“ As you get everywhere else,” laughed 
Bob. ‘‘Push and pull — push and pull. 
Only, be sure you strike the right place, or 


72 OLD FRIENDS 

you’ll be set down hard as Jack Lawson 
was.” 

“Did he try for it?” asked Neddy, his 
young face alight with interest now. 

“ Yes,” answered Bob ; “ but he tackled 
the wrong man — went for Senator Devon 
— you’ve heard of Devon, of course.” 

“Ye — es,” replied Ned, trying to recall 
little Miss Whyte’s after-dinner gossip. 

“ Well, then, you know what a big man 
he is. Father swears by him, would go 
without his dinner any day to hear him 
speak. He says he’s straight and square 
and strong and speaks right to the spot. 
And when he is roused he makes things 
quake, I tell you. Well, Jack Lawson, who 
has the cheek of a Kentucky mule, went 
to him — which is dead easy, for Devon 
don’t put on any airs — told a long story 
about wanting a place so he could help sup- 
port the family. ‘ Your father is living, 
you say, my lad,’ said the Senator, ‘ What 
does he get?’ 


OLD FRIENDS 


73 


' Only eighteen hundred a year, sir,' an- 
swered Jack, thinking he had got there 
sure, ‘ and he has four children/ 

‘‘ ‘ Four children,' Devon fired back at 
him, ‘ four children, and eighteen hundred 
a year — and you are crying for more gov- 
ernment pap! Why, young man, where I 
come from they can raise fourteen children 
on half the money and make men of them 
all, too. No, sir,' he went on to the un- 
lucky Jack, ^ no Senate paging for you. 
Stick to your school books. While this 
country has a corn crop big enough to feed 
all Europe I don't believe in setting our 
young chickens to scratch before they shoot 
pin feathers. You're looking for cigarettes 
and matinee money, young man — not for 
mush, milk and mathematics." 

“ He had Jack there dead," laughed Bob, 
for he hates school worse than poison." 

“ But he wouldn't have me there," said 
Neddy eagerly. “ I'd want the money for 
Mama. But I don't know any Senators 


74 


OLD FRIENDS 


and they wouldn’t help me if I did, so I 
must stick to Roreham’s. Let’s walk round 
a little. I’ve been away so long, I want to 
see how the old town looks.” 

And the boys walked off together, leav- 
ing the crooked steps and sun-flowered 
bank for wider and brighter ways, into 
which the great Capital had turned in these 
later years. 

And as Neddy strolled through broad, 
smooth avenues, golden with the sunset 
past, the beautiful parks gay with late flow- 
ers and sparkling fountains, the charms of 
valley and mountain seemed to fade away 
in the rustic distance. 

Vaguely, unconsciously, he felt the thrill 
of the life wider, deeper, stronger, that 
pulsed in electric currents around him. 
Here where the great white finger of the 
Monument pointed ever upward, onward, — 
where the bronze figures of statesmen and 
heroes looked down on him from blossom- 
ing nooks, where the fair dome of the Cap- 


OLD FRIENDS 


75 


itol told of the councils of a nation, and the 
pillared fronts of the White House ** 
marked the goal that American boys have 
reached — here were heights to climb, fruit 
to gather, more tempting than steeps and 
fox grapes of old mist-veiled Peek-a-boo. 


CHAPTER VI 

PUSH AND PULL 

Neddy was off to work bright and early 
next morning. 

Trig and trim in his best jacket, Ma- 
ma’s touch evident in his snowy collar and 
neatly tied scarfj with a lunch of cold 
chicken and red apples pleasantly remind- 
ing him of Valley Farm, he tripped blithely 
off to business, with time enough to ex- 
change a friendly ‘‘ good morning ” with 
the little tailor at the doorway and to stop 
for a hearty greeting from old Aunt Livy, 
who was just arriving with a basket of 
laundry from across the street where the 
broken gate among the sun-flowers bore 
the sign — 


76 


PUSH AND PULL 


77 


Nussing — Washing — and 
Laying Out — Took in by 
Mrs. Livy Lane. 

Bless de Lawd/’ panted Aunt Livy, her 
broad black face beaming, you back 
agen, chile? I sholy is glad to see you, 
honey, I is indeed. And looking so pert 
and chipper, too. Done got right well 
again ? ” 

Better than ever. Aunt Livy, thank 
you,’’ was the cheery answer. 

“ Thank de Lawd for that,” said Aunt 
Livy, fur you was bad off dar awhile, 
chile, went monstrus close to de shining 
gate. We all done skeered ’bout you, 
shuah. And Abe, dat ar Abe Linkom of 
mine, went on like he hedn’t half sense. 
Found him hiding under de sun-flowers, 
sniffling like a baby gal.” 

'' Good old Abe ! ” said Ned warmly. 

You see, we’ve always been friends, 
Aunt Livy.” 


78 


PUSH AND PULL 


** Dat’s what he said,” nodded Aunt 
Livy, ‘Mat’s zackly what dat ar Abe Linkom 
said. ‘ Fm black and he’s white, I know. 
Granny, and dar ain’t no painting out de 
difference, but Mr. Neddy and me is 
friends — jes’ fur all de world like de black 
and white boys was friends long ago* 
Lawd,” Aunt Livy shifted her bundle of 
washing from one shoulder to the other as 
she lapsed into reminiscence, “ don’t I 
know how dat was when dis hyar berry 
place we’se standing was old Gunnel 
Deale’s front garden, and Marse Dick 
Deale and my Tobe was a kiting round 
arter each other ober de fences and hedge. 
Marse Dick wouldn’t eat a chinkapin 
less Tobe hed to eat half. An’ when dey 
growed up and Marse Dick he run off to 
de war, Tobe warn’t two days behind him. 
All de preaching and singing ob glory and 
freedom couldn’t hold him ter home. 
Hiked off in de dead ob de night and I 
nebbah seen him no more.” 


PUSH AND PULL 79 

“Was he killed?” asked Neddy, some- 
what startled at this tragic climax. 

“ Lawd, yes, chile, killed dead,'' replied 
Aunt Livy. “ Couldn’t speck nuthing but 
killing kiting arter a dare-devil like Marse 
Dick. Marse Dick, he got shot first, a 
scrambling up de hill under de shot and 
shells, and den Tobe, he scramble up be- 
hind to fotch out his master, and he got 
shot, too, and dey find dem both togedder 
by de spring. Tobe wif his hat full of 
water, whar he was trying to take a drink 
to Marse Dick, and done guv out. Yes, 
sail, Tobe was a good niggah, shuah, I’s 
married three times since, but nebbah 
found anodder man like Tobe. Dey don’t 
grow dat pattern dis here times. ’Cept 
Abe Lifikom, he takes after his grandad, 
shuah. Got jest de same old time dumb- 
fool ways. Can’t get no schooling in his 
head, but he kin handle de hoe, and de 
whitewash brush good as any grown man 
now.” 


8o 


PUSH AND PULL 


“ Abe is a good fellow, I know,” 
said Neddy. '^Fve got some apples for 
him — brought a lot from the country.” 

“ ril tell him,” said Aunt Livy. And 
dat ar persimmon tree of ourn is just 
weighted down dis year, honey. Dey ain’t 
fairly ripe yet — draw your mouf ef you 
bites ’em. Persimmons is like some folks, 
dey nebbah sweeten till de frost teches them 
sharp, and dey gets wrinkly. But dey’ll 
be ready, soon, Marse Ned, and so will de 
buttermilk and johnny cake, cross de 
street.” 

'' I won’t forget,” said Neddy, nodding 
good-bye ” to Aunt Livy as she went off 
with her bundle of washing, while he kept 
on his way through the busy streets, where 
the children were tripping gaily to the 
opening schools, men and women, brown 
with the sunburn of summer holidays were 
hurrying officeward, and all was brisk and 
bright with the new life that comes with 
the beginning of things whether in work or 


PUSH AND PULL 


8i 


play. Neddy, too, felt a sudden glow surge 
through him — a new desire to accomplish 
something in this busy world. Involun- 
tarily, he hastened his steps. 

And now at last the great front of Rore- 
ham’s — it’s big glass windows gay with 
autumn goods flashed cheery welcome on 
the returned wanderer. Neddy entered 
the wide-swinging portals, and glanced 
around him with a smile that faded sud- 
denly into a look of blank dismay. For 
swift are the changes in the strenuous life 
of an up-to-date department store. The 
busy hum of ''opening” echoed through 
the long aisles, the cash railway still flashed 
in bewildering vistas, the yards of ribbon 
still waved in gay triumph, the meshes of 
lace still fluttered over counter and shelf, 
but a blond-haired stranger stood in Miss 
Marling’s place, and perched in Neddy’s 
cage was a black-eyed girl, with two balls 
of twine ready for a busy day. And a new 
floor- walker stopped Neddy’s advance with 


82 


PUSH AND PULL 


a questioning stare. Well, young man,” 
he asked, after a pause, “ what do you 
want?” 

Miss — Miss Marling,” was the hesi- 
tating answer ; “ isn’t she here ? ” 

Miss Marling,” repeated the gentle- 
man, who wore a diamond scarf-pin and 
was smart generally, '' I don’t know the 
lady. Do you, Miss Elinor ? ” to the blond 
stranger who was sorting her lace collars 
for a bargain sale. 

Miss Marling? Louise Marling? Why, 
of course, she was married two months 
ago and quit.” 

‘‘And — and Mr. Davis,” faltered 
Neddy. 

“ Davis,” echoed the gentleman. “ If 
you mean my amiable predecessor, he has 
another job, in Baltimore.” 

“ Could I see Mr. Forney, the man- 
ager?” asked Neddy desperately. 

“ You might,” answered the floor-walker, 
who evidently felt cleverness was his forte, 


PUSH AND PULL 83 

** if you take the next steamer, my friend. 
Mr. Forney is in Paris buying goods.” 

'‘You see — you see,” explained Ned, 
growing hot and nervous, " I used to work 
here until I got sick, and I thought — I 
thought I could come back and get my 
place.” 

" May I ask what the place was ? ” said 
the gentleman. " Cashier or general man- 
ager ? ” and the blond lady giggled. “ I 
was bundle boy up there,” blurted Neddy, 
pointing to his former post. 

" Oh,” said the other, " as you perceive, 
we have changed our pattern for the better 
as you must confess. We have girls in- 
stead of boys ; they come cheaper and pret- 
tier, don’t they, Becky?” 

" None of your sass,” answered the 
black-eyed one pertly. 

The blow had fallen. Neddy stood in 
blank dismay while ribbons and railway 
seemed whirling about him again as in his 
fever dream. 


84 


PUSH AND PULL 


It is always the unexpected that oc- 
curs/' says the old French proverb, and 
fire, flood, and earthquake were really more 
to be expected by Neddy than this. His 
friends gone, his place taken! and himself 
forgotten quite! 

And our Neddy learned in one sharp 
shock the lesson it sometimes takes half a 
century to teach — how little the '^Num- 
ber One " we hold so weighty counts in 
Life’s great sum, how soon the big I is 
rubbed off Life’s hard slate. 

Dismayed and bewildered, he turned 
away, feeling that he had been mocked and 
scorned, when the great gilt words on the 
swinging doors caught his eye — Push — 
Pull ” — they directed the entering and 
leaving customers. 

“ Push and pull ” — Bob Dixon’s talk of 
yesterday flashed back to Neddy. “ Push 
and Pull ” — the open sesame ” to suc- 
cess. Push and Pull ” — Neddy braced 
up and swallowed the lump in his throat. 


PUSH AND PULL 85 

He could — he could — he would — push 
and pull for another place. And striding 
manfully out into the sunshine, where some 
big wagons were being loaded up already, 
a cheery voice suddenly fell like music on 
his ears. 

Hullo,” it called, by Jing, if it ain’t 
little Neddy Ray. Shake hands, my boy, 
shake hands. I am glad to see you again.” 

Griggs ! Big, burly Tom Griggs, the 
shipping clerk, loading up his vans — 
Neddy had quite forgotten his friend Tom 
Griggs. His greeting was such a pleasant 
shock after those others inside that for a 
moment Neddy could not speak. He could 
just shake hands with a sort of tremble 
about his lips that the good-natured Griggs 
saw. He sized up the situation at once. 

“Found your job gone, eh? I guessed 
it would be. There’s a lot of new folks in 
there changing things generally. Well, 
you ain’t missing much.” 

“ No,” answered Neddy, “ but it was a 


86 


PUSH AND PULL 


good deal to Mother and me. The Fresh 
Air Fund'' sent me away, but I've got to 
go to work now to make up for lost time. 
I've got to help Mother even if I must 
go dig." 

'' Dig ! " laughed Griggs, ‘‘ you look like 
that, Neddy!" 

‘‘ I'll do it," said Neddy resolutely. “ I'll 
do anything. Do you know any place 
where I could find a job, Griggs?" 

Griggs looked at his little friend re- 
flectively. 

“Think you could stand out-door work 
in cold weather?" 

“ Oh, yes, yes, I know I could." 

“ I'm not so sure of it," answered Griggs 
doubtfully. “ You've been pretty low 
down — and are not very big to start — 
still you might try it." 

“Oh, what, Griggs, what?" asked 
Neddy. 

“ Special delivery," answered the ship- 
ping clerk. “You see, this is likely to be 


PUSH AND PULL 87 

a big season with us and it will take all our 
service and more to make good. There’s 
always some high and mighty folks that 
want their things in a tremendous hurry, 
and can’t wait for them. We’ve got to 
keep their custom, so we’re going to put 
two or three bright young chaps on bicycles 
for special rush work. It will be four dol- 
lars a week, but when the season fairly 
starts, it will keep you humming — and 
you’re not overstrong.” 

“ Oh, yes, I am, I am,” said Neddy ea- 
gerly, “ and I would love to ride a bicycle, 
Griggs. Oh, if you can get me the job, 
please, please do.” 

“ Come in then,” said Griggs. We’ll 
see about it right now.” 

And he led Neddy down a wide alley- 
way into the shipping and delivery region 
of Roreham’s big stores. There were no 
plate glass nor shining cash railway, nor 
meshes of gay ribbon and lace here, no 
blond ladies with pompadours or smart 


88 


PUSH AND PULL 


gentlemen with diamond pins. The high 
windows were iron barred — the bare floors 
strewn with straw and sawdust and bag- 
ging, the goods piled in huge bales and 
boxes to the ceiling. Rough men in their 
shirt sleeves were hauling packages and 
rolling trucks. Disorder prevailed in gen- 
eral. It was like doing down to the roots 
of things and seeing how they grew, for 
here was the real work that upheld the 
shining, dazzling show above. 

Griggs led his young protege across two 
big rooms, to a little glazed oflice, where a 
sharp-eyed, grizzle-headed old gentleman 
sat behind a barricade of account books. 

Here’s a boy that I think will do for 
our ‘ special delivery,’ Mr. Mills. He was 
upstairs in the bundle department, but had 
typhoid and had to leave. Finds his place 
gone and wants another.” 

‘‘ Oh, he does,” the sharp eyes focused 
through a pair of very glittering spectacles 
seemed to search Neddy through and 


PUSH AND PULL 89 

through — Nothing against him. up- 
stairs ? 

“ Nothing at all, sir,” answered Griggs. 

‘‘ This special business is responsible 
work,” continued the old gentleman. It 
means handling high-priced orders C. O. D. 
You’ll have to give security, young man.” 

“ Security, sir ! ” echoed Neddy. 

Yes, get your father or uncle or some- 
body to sign for you, to say, they’re ready 
to make good if you should happen to bolt 
off with our money or packages.” 

“ Oh, I’d never do that, sir,” said Neddy, 
flushing and I — I haven’t any father 
or uncle or — ” 

“ You’ve got me,” said a friendly voice at 
his side. ‘‘ Will my signature do, Mr. 
Mills?” 

“ Yours,” there was a kindly gleam in 
the glasses turned on the speaker, “ yours, 
Tom Griggs ? I don’t ask any better name, 
sir.” 

'‘Then here goes,” said Griggs, taking 


90 


PUSH AND PULL 


up a pen. Shove over your paper, what- 
ever it is, Mr. Mills. I’m ready to back 
Neddy Ray with every dollar I’ve got.” 

“ All right,” said Mr. Mills, as Griggs 
dashed a big, bold signature across the 
paper handed to him. 

The job is yours, my boy. See that he 
has a first class bicycle, Griggs, and let 
him start in to-day, at four dollars a week.” 

“ Oh, Griggs, dear Griggs,” Neddy 
squeezed his friend’s horny hand as they 
turned away, “ I just don’t know how to 
thank you, Griggs.” 

“ What have you got to thank me for ? ” 
laughed Griggs. Saying I’d back you ? 
Why, Lord bless us, don’t I know you, boy ? 
Haven’t I seen you in that little red cassock 
and surplice Sunday after Sunday, or kneel- 
ing by your pretty mother’s side at early 
Mass. Tom Griggs ain’t any soft fool, 
Neddy — but he knows how good boys are 
made, and stands ready to back them.” 

“ Push and Pull,” the big doors flashed 


PUSH AND PULL 


91 


the words at Neddy as he passed them 
again that morning on his way to get his 
bicycle — ** Push and Pull/’ 

Was it Push and Pull ” that got him 
this new start, or something better, 
stronger, higher? 

Tom Griggs would say it was neither 
push nor pull could make him stand or 
sign for any boy on earth. 


CHAPTER VII 

“ SPECIAL DELIVERY ” 

And then began pleasant days indeed for 
Neddy, for the bicycle was bought and 
Griggs took care it should be the first-class 
article Mr. Mills had ordered ; and mounted 
on this shining steed, our Neddy skimmed 
over the smooth streets like a bird on the 
wing. 

Orders came thick and fast, to the trig, 
brisk little special messenger, for an order 
to Neddy meant speedy delivery and swift 
return, as everyone soon learned. 

Even the blond-haired lady at Miss 
Marling’s old counter sent down her most 
valuable and particular parcels with the re- 
quest: ‘‘Immediate, please, by Neddy 
Ray.” 


92 


SPECIAL DELIVERY^* 


93 


And now as the season began to open, 
the tide of life from North, South, East and 
West, pulsing with mighty currents of will 
and purpose, swept into the Nation’s Capi- 
tal — like the life blood to heart and brain. 

Great issues were at stake, powerful 
forces were massing for debate in the com- 
ing session of Congress, the thrill of pend- 
ing combat was in the air. 

But of this our Neddy knew nothing. 
He saw only the broad avenues were filling 
up with busy crowds, that he had to steer 
his flying wheel carefully among the dash- 
ing carriages, that beautiful homes were 
opening on every side, where special or- 
ders had to be delivered early and late. 

Customers were sometimes cross and ca- 
pricious, Neddy was often kept waiting in 
splendid halls while fashionable ladies 
compared laces and ribbons or argued over 
bills they had not the cash to meet. 

All these emergencies Neddy met like 
the little gentleman he was, never rude or 


94 ^'SPECIAL DELIVERY 

impatient, but always ready to please and 
to serve. 

Then, there were the pleasant evenings 
at home, when the little fire that Mama 
hoarded carefully all day burst into glow 
and cheer for Neddy’s coming, when the 
table was set with the rosebud plates, and 
the violet centrepiece, and the dinner — 
well, though as a dinner it would scarcely 
come up to the requirements of Valley 
Farm, to Neddy it was altogether right. 
Such nice, little, brown stews as Mama 
concocted after recipes of her own, such 
batter bread and molasses, such potato 
cake, made as old Nurse Norah had made 
over her peat fire in the long ago, such 
delicious desserts of ripe bananas, at two 
for a penny from old Pedro’s cart. 

And then what gay times afterward 
when the dishes were washed and the lamp 
lighted, the lamp that had been a dull, 
sickly relic of the old house, until Mama 
had polished up the blackened Cupid and 


‘^SPECIAL DELIVERY^* 


95 


provided him with an umbrella of pink tis- 
sue paper, that hid all deficiencies and filled 
the little room with a soft, rosy glow. 

Then Mama would put on her pretty 
neckpiece and get her work-basket. Or, 
perhaps, she would take her old guitar from 
its corner and would sing softly to its tink- 
ling strings. Sometimes old Miss Whyte 
would come down with her brown hair on 
for a bit of gossip, or Mrs. Munsey would 
drop in to tell her of all her worrits ” 
and troubles with servants and lodgers 
downstairs. 

Then, the beautiful Sundays, that were 
best of all, when the busy working world 
seemed to drop quite away from Mama and 
Neddy and they walked sweet, quiet ways 
of light and peace. Often there was no 
hot dinner on Sundays, no rosebud dishes 
to wash, nothing to break its blessed rest. 

But when High Mass was over and 
Neddy had put away cassock and surplice, 
they would take a little box packed with 


96 SPECIAL DELIVERY’^ 

sandwiches and cookies and go off in the 
street cars to some quiet little nook out of 
town, the shaded groves of the Soldiers’ 
Home, or the wild, sweet depths about 
Rock Creek, where the last wood flowers 
were hiding, and the trees were aflame with 
crimson and gold — and there spend the 
whole beautiful afternoon under the falling 
leaves. 

So the bright autumn days sped on until 
Jack Frost had opened the chestnut burrs, 
and crinkled the persimmons, and Neddy 
and Abe Linkum ” were roasting their 
nuts and apples over Aunt Livy’s fire on 
Hallowe’en. Aunt Livy’s cabin was just 
the place to spend that spooky vigil. Low 
and dim and dusky, with all sorts of queer 
things swinging from its smoky rafters, 
bunches of wonder-working yarbs, gourds, 
and peppers, dried snake-skins, and rabbit 
feet to ward off spells and charms. For 
Aunt Livy’s professional duties were wide 
and numerous. She didn’t stand back “ for 


'^SPECIAL DELIVERY 97 

none of dese new fangled nusses/’ as she 
stoutly declared. 

“ Lor, chillun, I knows lot more’n dere 
books kin teach 'em. Didn’t I rig up Gun- 
nel Diggs’ ole Aunt Cailine, when ebbery 
white doctah in dis town gib her up? But 
de minnit I lay eyes on dat pore ole critter 
I knowed what it was.” 

And what was it, Gran ? ” asked ** Abe 
Linkum ” breathlessly. 

“ Hoodoo, chile ; jes nachal hoodoo. * Sis 
Ling,’ says Aunt Cailine, * kin you do any- 
thing fur me. Sis Ling?’ 

“ ‘ I’ll try, Sis Cailine,’ I says, ‘ though 
I see it’s got you strong.’ And it had, 
chile; it tuk me three months to wrastle 
that hoodoo down, and rig Aunt Cailine 
up. Dat was ’bout de powfullest witch- 
work I ebber done.” 

“ But — but,” Neddy felt conscientiously 
bound to interpose, ''it isn’t right to do 
witch work, Aunt Livy.” 

'^Mebbe it ain’t, chile, mebbe it ain’t, 


98 SPECIAL DELIVERY^* 

but when you sees de hoodoo is dar, what 
you gwine to do ? ” 

“Tell Mr. Neddy ’bout dat ar witch- 
work at Gunnel Coleman’s, Gran,^’ said 
“ Abe Linkum,” who was seated on an old 
three-legged chair, watching the chestnuts 
in the pan. 

“ Lawd, boy, what you s’pose white folks 
want to hear ole niggah stories for ? ” said 
Aunt Livy. 

“Oh, but I do, I do. I just love your 
stories, Aunt Livy. You’ve had so many, 
so many — ” Neddy paused to select the 
most polite word — “ so many ‘ experi- 
ences.’ ” 

“ Dat’s so, chile, dat is sholy so. When 
you goes roun’ forty or fifty year, I can’t 
zackly say which, a nussin’ and a layin’ 
out, you has ’sperience dat no pra’r meet- 
ing kin gib. 

“ Lor,’ de babies I’se handled and de 
corpses I’se stretched. I couldn’t begin to 
count. But dat ‘ ’sperience ’ I had at Cun- 


‘^SPECIAL DELIVERY’^ 99 

nel Coleman’s was de curusest of all. 
Twas long, long time ago, ’fo’ de wah, 
’fo’ I merried Tobe. He was Marse Dick’s 
man den, at de big house whar you libs 
now, chile, an’ I was Miss Patty’s maid. 

An’ Miss Patty dem days was fresh and 
sweet as a June rose. Befo’ she was half- 
growed de beaux come flocking ’roun’ like 
bees to de clover tips, an’ when she dun 
come out, in a skirt nine yards roun’ wif 
de lace flounces looped up wif flowers, an’ 
her head all over curls, an’ her silver bokay- 
holder full of japonicas in her hand, lawd, 
chile, dar ain’t nuthing dese days to come 
nigh to her. Quality foks knowed how to 
dress den — none of dese here stingy 
squinchy tight-fits, but dey put in plenty ob 
de dry goods. 

“ ‘ Livy,’ she used ter say to me nights 
when I was brushing out dem curls, an’ de 
beaux had been a-pestering her wuss dan 
ever, ‘ I’ll have to marry one of ’em, I sup- 
pose, Livy. Which do you like best ? ’ 

LOFC. 


ICX) 


** SPECIAL DELIVERY^' 


' Lor’, Miss Pat,’ I used ter titter, ‘ dat 
ain’t fer me to say. But if I did have my 
pick, it ’ud be Marse Jack Wilson.’ 

“ ‘ Oh, Livy — ’ then she use to shake de 
curls ober her face, mad-like, ‘ how can you 
say that? I just hate Jack Wilson.’ 

“ Den I knowed, honey, dat Marse Jack 
war de man certain. I ’spec’ gals has more 
sense dese times, but den dey was can- 
tankerous sholy, and Miss Pat she did lead 
Marse Jack a chase, I tell you. She was 
dat uppish and dat mean, an’ dat contrairy 
to him, dat I wouldn’t hab knowed her 
for my own sweet young miss, ef it hedn’t 
been fer de nights when I brushed her 
curls and she’d turn herself again. An’ 
when de time come for him to go away on 
his ship — he was a navy officer — she got 
wusser dan ebber. I nebber saw nuthing 
like de way she treated him ! 

She wouldn’t wait ter give him a chance 
ter say good-bye, but whisked off down to 
her Uncle Coleman’s at Culpepper fur a 


SPECIAL DELIVERY 


lOI 


Hallowe'en party, wifout eben telling him 
whar she was going.” 

‘‘ But you, Gran, you,” interposed “ Abe 
Linkum ” eagerly, you told him.” 

“ Shet up, boy ; is you telling dis hyah 
story, or is I ? ” asked Aunt Livy sharply, 
and “ Abe Linkum ” subsided. “ Well, we 
went down to dat ar party, me and Miss 
Pat, and it was a party sholy. Big house 
jes' a-humming wif young folks, wood 
fires a-snapping and a-blazing in de chim- 
blys, cider bar'ls runnning for black and 
white, apples by de bar'l, and nuts by de 
peck. 

“ And Miss Patty, she was 'bout de gay- 
est and de gladdest seeming ob all de young 
folks dat was laughing and singing and 
dancing, roun' dat big house dat Hallowe’en. 
But I knowed, chile, Livy knowed her heart 
was nigh busting wif de ache and de break 
for Mr. Jack dat was gwine away. 'Twas 
time foh de witch-work shuah. 

So when she come up to let me fix her 


102 


^‘SPECIAL DELIVERY 


ha’r and put on her pretty pink dress for 
de big dance dat night, I says : 

“ ' Ef you don’t mind, Miss Pat, I’d like 
to borrow dat ar silver handle looking-glass 
ob your’n for a little bit to-night. Bar’s a 
grave-yard handy, an’ I wants ter try my 
fortune. 

‘‘‘Your fortune, Livy?’ she says. 

“‘Yes’m,’ I says. ‘It’s Holly Eve, you 
know, and I’se gwine ter try de grave-yard 
spell ter see if Tobe is faithful and trew. 
You goes to de grave-yard, and holds a 
looking-glass up ter de light ob de moon, 
and you calls a name in yo heart, and ef he 
lubs ye true yo sees him dar in de glass.” 

“ ‘ Oh, Livy, how funny ! ’ she laffed. 

“‘No, miss, ’tain’t funny — it’s — it’s 
serious. De grave-yard dew is a powerful 
spell. I heern about it befo’, and Holly 
Eve de sperrits run loose, anyhow, and I’se 
gwine to catch Tobe’s ef I can,’ said 1. 

“ Miss Pat had sot down on de bed and 
was looking at me wif her eyes shining. 


SPECIAL DELIVERY^' 103 


^ Livy/ she says, ‘ I’ve a mind to try 
it, too — if — if you won’t tell anybody, 
Livy.’ 

“ ‘ Lawd, no, Miss Patty, I won’t tell, but 
you has to wait till moon-up.’ 

“ ^ I know — you wait under the porch 
about ten, with my red cloak, and I’ll steal 
away from the dance, and go with you, 
Livy — and we’ll try — try our fortunes to- 
gether.’ 

“And we did, chile — jes about ten 
Miss Patty came stealing out inter de dark- 
ness under de porch, and I put her red 
cloak ’bout her, and we clipped off toged- 
der down de garden walk, and cross de 
grove to de hollow whar de Colemans has 
buried de dead for more’n a hundred 
years. 

“ Lor’, but ’twas a creepy place, de ole 
stone wall kivered with ivy, an’ de bare 
trees throwing dere black shadows ’cross 
our way, and de crumbly old grave stones 
standing up dar so solemn in de moonlight. 


104 SPECIAL DELIVERY^* 


De shivers went up and down my back, I 
tell you, for I warn’t more’n sixteen or 
seventeen den — but I was boun' to see dis 
hyah witch-work troo. And though dar was 
bold sojer blood in Miss Patty's veins, she 
was sort ob shaky, too. 

‘ You look fust, Livy,' she ^ays. 

“ And I held de glass, whar de moon 
shine clar in it, and I looked in and didn't 
see nuffin but my own black face." 

“ ‘ Oh, do you see anything, Livy ? ' Miss 
Patty asked, trembling like. 

“ ‘ Yes'm,' I says, ‘ I sees a niggah's face, 
and it belongs to Tobe Morris shuah.' For 
it did — I was promised to marry Tobe de 
New Year." Aunt Livy chuckled at the 
recollection of her equivocation. 

‘‘ ' Oh, let me look, let me look, Livy,' she 
said, all of a quiver like. 

And I give her the glass, chile, an' she 
looked — an' dar — dar was Marse Jack 
Wilson's face and Marse Jack's eyes look- 
ting trew love into her own. An' she gave 


SPECIAL DELIVERY 105 

a little low cry an’ I turned and run fast 
as my heels would go.” 

“And left her all alone?” cried Neddy. 

“ He — he, no,” chuckled Aunt Livy. 
“ I lef’ her wif dat ghost, dat I had rigged 
honey. He’d take keer of her, I knowed. 
She cum back to de house wif him a little 
later wif a diamond. ring Marse Jack had 
been kerrying roun’ fur months on her 
finger and a diamond light in her eyes, fur 
all was settled at last. An’ dat night when 
we was up in her room togedder Miss 
Patty put her arms roun’ my black neck and 
cried on my shoulder. 

“ ^ Oh, Livy, Livy,’ she says, ‘ you did 
it — you brought him back to me ; you was 
de Holly Eve witch, I know.’ 

“ He — he — he,” chuckled Aunt Livy, 
“ an’ I ’spec’ I was, I ’spec’ I was, honey — 
any rate, dey nebba forgit it. Miss Patty’s 
head as white as cotton now and Marse 
Jack he dun got ’tired as General or Com- 
modore or suthing big, but dey ain’t nebba 


io6 SPECIAL DELIVERY 


fergot. Look here, honey — ’’ Aunt Livy 
drew an envelope from her breast — “ dis 
wot come dis mawning, dis wot comes 
ebbery Holly Eve.” Folded in a dainty 
crested sheet of paper, Aunt Livy showed 
a crisp ten-dollar bill, with the brief mes- 
sage : “ For our good witch, Livy ” — 
signed, Miss Patty and Marse Jack.” 


CHAPTER VIII 
Neddy’s visitor 

Miss Mildred Bond, 1800 Blank Ave- 
nue. Immediate,” was the order that sent 
Neddy skimming off on his wheel one No- 
vember afternoon, when the leaves were 
swirling down in the broad streets, and 
Jack Frost’s first nip was in the bracing 
air. 

It was the day after Thanksgiving, when 
Rob Dixon had appeared with two tickets 
for the great ball game on the Georgetown 
campus, and Neddy had spent an hilarious 
holiday shouting excitedly over the triumph 
of the Blue and Grey. 

Then Tom Griggs had given him an in- 
vitation for the evening to a show of 
‘‘ Moving Pictures,” for the benefit of a hos- 


107 


io8 NEDDY’S VISITOR 

pital, and altogether Neddy was a little 
tired and sleepy after such unusual di- 
version. He was beginning to think of 
dinner and home as, about four o'clock, he 
drew up at the door of a splendid mansion, 
where a gay awning stretching out over the 
sidewalk and the tuning of musical instru- 
ments in the conservatory told that some 
social function was already in progress. 

“ All right," said a pompous butler, tak- 
ing the parcel from Neddy's hand. 

It's C. O. D., if you please, and imme- 
diate," said Neddy, who knew the move- 
ments of such stately functionaries were 
apt to be slow. Oh ! " said the liveried 
gentleman gruffly, ‘‘then, I suppose you'll 
have to wait. In the side hall please, for 
there is a reception here to-day." And the 
speaker led Neddy to a corner, where the 
turn of a broad staircase was hidden by a 
screen of palms. Our little special mes- 
senger sat down on a cushioned divan, quite 
awed by the splendor around him. He 


NEDDY’S VISITOR 


109 


had been in stately mansions before, but 
never had seen anything like this; Neddy 
looked about him in wide-eyed amazement. 
Though it was still day outside, the sun had 
been shut out by closed shutters and rich 
curtains, and the lofty rooms glowed with 
soft tinted lights gleaming amid banks of 
flowers and bowers of palms. The air was 
all fragrance and music; it was like the 
“ fairy palace ” of Neddy’s childish story 
books. And waiting there in the soft, 
warm-cushioned corner, the tired little mes- 
senger’s head began to nod and he drifted 
off into a pleasant, half- waking dream. 

He could still hear the tinkling music in 
the conservatory, the deep tones of gentle- 
men talking in the hall beyond the screen- 
ing palms: 

Devon — Devon ! ” the name fell dully 
on his ear — “ glad to see you back again, 
Senator.” 

And then an answering voice said some- 
thing about the mountains, a voice that 


no NEDDY’S VISITOR 

took Neddy’s dreaming thoughts back to 
some seeming long-ago. 

Again the rugged heights of Peek-a-boo 
seemed to rise before him; the music he 
heard was the tinkle of its falling waters, 
the fragrance in the air was the spicy 
breath of its cedars and ivies. Again he 
was clambering its rocky path, when — 

You little wretch ! ” — the sharp voice 
like the cut of a whip startled him from his 
dreams. What do you mean by sleeping 
here ? ” and the little messenger sprang up 
wide awake, to face the most beautiful 
vision he had ever seen. A lady stood at 
the turn of the staircase, a lovely lady all 
in shining white, with diamonds sparkling 
at her throat and in the wavy gold of her 
hair. 

'' What do you mean ? ” she repeated 
angrily, her eyes blazing like blue light- 
ning at the bewildered boy. 

“ It’s the messenger from Roreham’s, 
Miss,” said the butler, stepping forward. 


NEDDTS VISITOR 


III 


He brought your gloves, I think the maid 
said. The parcel was C. O. D. and he said 
he must wait — ” 

Wait ! ” echoed the lady. “ I never 
heard of such impertinence. Wait for the 
price of a pair of gloves? You should 
have sent him off, Dunn, at once.” 

“ I am sorry. Miss,” said Neddy, vaguely 
conscious that something was wrong. “ I 
can take them back, of course.” 

“Take them back, you little fool? I 
have them on.” 

“ Then, if you will, give me the money, 
please. The order was C. O. D.,” said 
the boy politely. 

“ Your order ! Your order ! What do I 
care for your orders, you little idot? To 
come clamoring at such a time as this for 
a few miserable dollars ! It is the last time 
I will buy anything from your Cheap Jack 
of a store, and you can tell them so. Put 
this boy out at the lower door, Dunn — 
put him out at once.” 


1 12 


NEDDY’S VISITOR 


Mildred, my dear, my dear — ” a tall, 
white-haired lady came hurriedly down the 
stairs and laid her hand on the angry girl’s 
arm. “ Hush, hush, I beg of you. Sen- 
ator Devon is just beyond those palms. 
He came with your father a few minutes 
ago. Go down and receive him — I will 
settle with the boy.” 

And Neddy was led oif by Dunn, who 
muttered something about a “ she-devil,” 
as they passed down the stairs and into a 
lower hall, where after another wait of half 
an hour the money was brought down to 
the little messenger and he was allowed to 
go from the great house, into which gay 
guests were crowding and where the beau- 
tiful Miss Mildred reigned as queen. 

Mama listened to her boy’s story that 
evening with indignant sympathy. ‘‘ A 
rude, heartless girl,” she said. 

“ But, gee ! she was pretty,” declared 
Neddy. “ Oh, Mama, if I could only dress 
you up like that all in shining white, with 


NEDDTS VISITOR 


1 13 

diamonds at your throat and in your hair.” 

'‘^Oh, Neddy, Neddy,” she laughed, 
“ they would not suit me at all, dear.” 

Oh, yes, yes, they would — you would 
look like a little fairy queen. Mama. And 
I would like to put you in just such a fairy 
palace, all full of lights and music and flow- 
ers.” 

My dear little boy, I would not have 
it,” was the earnest answer, “ not with the 
thorns you saw under the flowers, thorns 
of bitterness, anger, pride, Neddy. I would 
rather have our little home in its lowliness 
and peace a thousand times. But,” she 
added, seeing a shadow of disappointment 
in her boy’s eyes, “ sometime, when you are 
a man, Neddy, you will give Mama another 
kind of home in the country, dear, God’s 
beautiful country, where there are no great 
walls of brick and mortar to shut out the 
stars and the sky, only big, kind trees to 
shelter us with their leafy arms, and the 
sun shining on all sides of us, all sides. 


II4 NEDDTS VISITOR 

Neddy, boy. Won't that be better even 
than the fairy palace?” 

‘^And a porch, Mama, a wide, beautiful 
porch, all wreathed with roses. Oh, yes, 
that will be better,” said Neddy eagerly. 
“ And cows and chickens and horses. And 
a calf, Mama, a dear little brindle calf. 
And oh, Mama, won’t you wear white 
dresses, not shining white like hers, but 
soft and cloud like, and have roses instead 
of the diamonds, and — and — ” 

A tap at the door broke in upon this 
pleasant conversation. 

It is Miss Whyte, dear,” said Neddy’s 
mother. “ She can not hear ^yery well. 
Open the door for her.” 

And Neddy opened the door, stared for a 
moment at the grey-coated figure on the 
threshold, and then cried out in delighted 
recognition : 

Daddy Dan ! Mama, Mama, here is 
Daddy Dan!” 

Daddy Dan indeed ! Daddy Dan buttoned 


NEDDrS VISITOR 115 

up to the neck in a big grey coat and seem- 
ing to fill the little room with his grizzly, 
rugged presence. Daddy Dan, evidently 
feeling a little awkward and out of place in 
this pretty little, rose-let room. Mama, 
though a trifle dismayed, we must confess, 
met her unlooked-for guest graciously. 

How d'ye do, ma'am, how d'ye do ? " 
said Daddy Dan, as he took her out- 
stretched hand. Glad to meet you. I 
told this little man of yours I’d look him 
up and so I’ve come — I've come.” 

"'And Neddy is delighted, as you see,” 
said Mrs. Ray kindly. “ He has been hop- 
ing for this visit when you came back to 
town. He has never forgotten the pleasant 
day on the mountain with you,” added the 
little lady, anxious to reassure her visitor. 

“ Gee, no! ” added Neddy. “ It was just 
the finest tramp I ever had in my life. 
Daddy Dan. And didn’t we find the 
grapes, though ? That's the present I 
bought for Mama on her neck now. You 


ii6 NEDDY’S VISITOR 

sent her half of it, you know, with your 
compliments. Golly, I am glad to see you 
again. Sit down here in my chair by the 
fire and get warm.” 

Daddy Dan hesitated. 

“ I didn’t think — think of staying, 
Sonny; I just — just looked in.” 

“ Oh, but you must stay — ” Neddy 
pulled over his arm chair to the fireside. 

We want you to stay. Daddy Dan. Din- 
ner is over, but we’ve got some cookies in 
the cupboard and Mama will make you a 
nice hot cup of tea — won’t you. Mama ? ” 
Certainly,” was the cordial answer ; 
though Mama did not know to her satis- 
faction the character of Neddy’s friend, 
she was too gentle and kind to dampen 
her boy’s welcome. “ The kettle is boiling 
and it won’t take a minute. Take off your 

overcoat, Mr. — Mr. , must I give you 

Neddy’s name, too?” and she turned to 
her guest with a charming smile. 

“ Yes, ma’am,” was the blunt answer. 


NEDDrS VISITOR 


117 

‘‘Just Daddy Dan, if you please. It’s the 
name I like best.” 

Mama’s doubts as to the guest deepened, 
but a glance at the strong, rugged lines 
of the face revealed by the firelight re- 
moved all fear. Nameless and outlawed. 
Daddy Dan might be, but she felt only 
friendly feeling brought him here to-night. 

So the tea was made, and the cookies 
set out on the table, while perched on the 
arm of Daddy Dan’s chair, Neddy chattered 
like a magpie, plying the visitor with ques- 
tions which were answered somewhat 
evasively, it seemed to Mama’s quick wom- 
an’s ear. 

“Have you been long in town. Daddy 
Dan?” 

“ Just a day or two. Sonny. I stayed up 
in the clouds until I got rid of that con- 
founded hay-fever. Then — then I came 
down.” 

“And you’ve got work here in Wash- 
ington ? ” 


ii8 


NEDDTS VISITOR 


“ Yes, Fve got work.” 

‘‘A good job, Daddy Dan?” Neddy’s 
tone was eager. 

Well, fairish. Sonny, fairish,” was the 
answer. 

“ Where is it. Daddy Dan ? ” 

Neddy, dear,” interposed his mother, 
“ are you not asking a great many ques- 
tions ? ” 

“ It’s because I thought. Mama, that if 
Daddy Dan hadn’t a good place, I might 
get him one. Griggs wants help down in 
the packing room. It’s only six dollars a 
week, but it isn’t very hard work.” 

“ Thank you. Sonny, thank you.” Daddy 
Dan’s big hand closed over the little one 
that lay on the arm of the chair. ‘T won’t 
bother you to look out for me there just 
yet. I’ve got a pretty good place up on 
the hill yonder — at — at the Capitol. I — 
I — keep up the steam there,” added Daddy 
after a pause. 

‘‘Oh!” said Neddy in a satisfied tone. 


NEDDY'S VISITOR 


1 19 

“And that pays more than six dollars a 
week, I know.” 

“ Yes,” answered Daddy Dan, stroking 
his grizzled chin, “it pays more, sonny, it 
pays more — but then, paying don’t count 
much with me.” 

“No, I don’t think it does,” said Neddy 
gaily. “You’d rather be on the mountain 
top gathering grapes, wouldn’t you. Daddy 
Dan?” 

“ Oh, Neddy, Neddy, what a chatterbox 
you are to-night,” said his mother, who had 
an uncomfortable intuition that Daddy Dan 
was being questioned on matters of which 
he did not care to talk. “ Get the cream 
and sugar, dear, and let me give Daddy 
Dan his cup of tea.” 

And with womanly tact little Mother 
turned the conversation to Neddy himself, 
to his new work, and how good it was for 
him to be out in the open air, after his 
summer’s illness. 

Daddy Dan, drinking his tea from the 


120 


NEDDY’S VISITOR 


rosebud cup, listened and as his deep-set 
eyes turned on his little friend, there was 
a look in them that warmed Mama’s heart. 

It’s good for him,” he said, nodding ; 
yes, ma’am, as you say, it’s good for him. 
Better than being shut up in a school room 
these bright days. I’m glad he finds that 
things are going so well with him, — very 
glad — I don’t know that they could be — 
much better or — or happier,” concluded 
Daddy Dan, with a glance around the rose- 
lit-room. 

You must come again. Daddy Dan, 
come often,” said Neddy as his guest stood 
up to go. 

“ If you don’t mind, ma’am,” said 
Daddy Dan, looking to Mama, “ I will 
come again. I don’t often have such a 
pleasant evening or such a good cup of 
tea.” 

Come again, by all means,” said Mama 
smiling, ‘‘ Whenever you feel like it. Daddy 
Dan.” 


NEDDTS VISITOR 121 

And Daddy Dan clasped the hand she 
held out to him and said he would. 

Poor lonely man,” she said after he 
had gone, we must be kind to him, 
Neddy, even if — if — ” Mama hesitated. 
Somehow as she recalled that strong, kind 
face she could not speak her doubts and 
fears. We will be good to him, Neddy.” 


CHAPTER IX 

A PLUCKY VENTURE 

The bright snappy days of early Decem- 
ber had come and Neddy was busy indeed 
now. Special orders came thick and fast, 
and our little messenger was kept spin- 
ning from one end of the gay city to the 
other, his cheeks glowing, his eyes spark- 
ling in his swift sweep through the wintry 
air. 

For Jack Frost was out indeed now, 
not the grim, grey Jack Frost of other 
climes, but a pleasant roughish chap, far 
too polite to tweak ears or nip noses. 
True, he snatched away the golden veil of 
the Indian summer, and left the fields 
brown and bare ; he scattered the last leaves 
from the oaks and maples, hushed the tink- 


122 


A PLUCKY VENTURE 123 

ling plash of the fountain in park and 
square. But the gay foliage beds were still 
a glowing mass of color, red and yellow 
chrysanthemums nodded saucily in the 
sheltered gardens, even the late roses still 
put forth pale, timorous buds, while the 
beautiful Capital itself burst into all its 
winter life and bloom. 

The stores were filled with gay, brilliant 
crowds; Senators and Members thronged 
the great hotels ; the big flag floating from 
the dome of the Capitol told that Congress 
was in session and that “ Uncle Sam,” had 
begun his winter’s work. 

Fred Rawlings, trig and neat in his new 
Senate-page uniform, was a big man 
among the other boys now. “ He makes 
me sick,” grumbled Bob Dixon to Neddy 
as they came home one Sunday evening 
after a tramp through the woods, during 
which Fred had descanted on the privil- 
eges and perquisites of his new position to 
the envy of all his hearers. “To hear him 


124 ^ PLUCKY VENTURE 

talk you’d think he was running the whole 
government machinery. If a softy like 
Fred can get such a cinch, I don’t see why 
you don’t try for it, Ned.” 

Oh, I wish I could,” said Neddy, 
eagerly,” but — but — I don’t know how.” 

‘‘ There’s Senator Devon — why don’t 
you tackle him like Jack Rawlings did? 
He can’t sit down on you about having a 
father with eighteen hundred a year. 
They say he is just the nicest, plainest 
sort of an old chap and don’t put on any 
airs at all. Just get up your nerve, Neddy, 
and give him a straight talk about your 
mother and I believe you’d get as good 
a place as Fred’s.” Neddy thought about 
it all night, he talked about it to Tom 
Griggs as they ate their lunch next day 
among the packing boxes. 

It looks as if it might be a good thing 
for you, Neddy,” said that good friend 
thoughtfully. “ You’re doing all right 
here — but it isn’t much of a show for a 


A PLUCKY VENTURE 125 


family man. And if these page jobs at 
such a figure are being handed round you 
ought to try for one sure — How it’s done 
I don’t exactly know, but I’ve got a 
cousin that’s a watchman up at the Capi- 
tol and I’ll ask him what’s the right move.” 
And honest Tom came next day brimful 
of information. 

“Jim says Senator Devon is all right. 
If he knew you were working for your 
mother he’d lend a hand sure. But you’d 
never be able to get a word with him up 
at the Capitol. He is head and ears in 
business there, night and day all sorts of 
people after him. There’s some big fight 
on in Congress and he is heading it for all 
he is worth. But Jim happens to know 
that he slips ofif every Thursday afternoon 
to see how things are going on at a place 
he is fixing up on the Kent Road, and you 
might catch him there. It would do no 
harm to try at any rate,” added Tom ; “I’ll 
get Mr. Mills to give you a half holiday 


126 A PLUCKY VENTURE 


to-morrow. You just take the trolley, 
jump oif at Kent Road, and anybody along 
there will point out Sunset View — Devon's 
place." 

And so it happened that on a crisp, 
bright afternoon Neddy was speeding off 
on electric wings over the trolley road that 
led high up in the Maryland hills. He had 
said nothing to Mama about this “ ven- 
ture," it was too much of a ‘‘ forlorn hope," 
and though it took more courage to brave 
the great Senator than to climb the heights 
of Peek-a-boo in the face of a gathering 
storm, our young soldier did not shirk but 
followed the same white flag of mother's 
love in this new and untried march. 

He alighted at the cross-road, as Griggs 
had told him. Devon’s place," said the 
man whom he questioned. Straight up 
the hill — you can’t miss it. But there is 
no one there; the men quit work an hour 
ago. Half holiday the Senator gives, to 
see the big ball game." 


A PLUCKY VENTURE 127 

But Neddy had waited to hear no par- 
ticulars; he was already half way up the 
hill, where a grove of great oaks spread 
their bare boughs over an old-fashioned 
house that was evidently under vigorous 
reconstruction. The broad front was 
masked by scaffolding, the doors and win- 
dows were boarded up. But the iron gates 
stood open and our young hero, his heart 
beating a rat-a-tat in his breast, walked 
boldly in. There was no one to be seen — 
all was silence. He pushed on round the 
house, that stretched back into a maze of 
box-bordered gardens, where the hill, cut 
into gentle terraces, faced a superb view of 
the distant Capitol, that lay like a white 
dream of domes and spires against the 
evening sky. Ah, someone was here ! On 
a stone bench under a great locust tree a 
man sat smoking, Neddy stepped for- 
ward to speak to him and faced — Daddy 
Dan. 

For a moment both stared in speechless 


128 A PLUCKY VENTURE 


amazement — then Neddy cried joyfully: 

Daddy Dan ! dear old Daddy Dan, 
what are you doing away out here ? ” 
^'Just what I was going to ask you,” 
was the gruff answer, “ I cut loose from the 
steam and grime whenever they let me — 
but you? Isn’t this pretty far off your 
beat?” 

“ Oh, yes, it is, but I’m not on a beat 
at all. I’m out on other business,” said 
Neddy dropping down on the bench at his 
old friend’s side. They told me if I 
came out here I’d find Senator Devon. 
But there don’t seem to be anybody alive 
in this place but you.” 

‘‘ There isn’t,” answered Daddy Dan. 
“ Got a special delivery for the Senator, 
eh? Didn’t know that he dabbled in your 
stock. What is it, ribbons or feathers ? ” 
"‘Oh, no — no,” laughed Neddy; ‘'it’s 
nothing from Roreham’s at all. It’s my 
own private business, Daddy Dan, but I 
don’t mind telling you about it. I came 


A PLUCKY VENTURE 129 

out here to see if Senator Devon wouldn’t 
get me a place as Senate Page.” 

^‘Oh! you’re looking for that job, eh? 
I thought — I thought you were pretty 
well fixed.” 

I am. I like Roreham’s first rate and 
Griggs is the best kind of a fellow, and 
the bicycle-riding is fine. But, you see, it 
don’t pay very well. Daddy Dan, and I 
ought to do better if I can. Griggs thinks 
so, and so does Bob Dixon. I’m not like 
other boys that have fathers and uncles 
and things. I’ve got a mother to take care 
of, Daddy Dan. And, gee! there’s such a 
lot of things I want to do for her,” con- 
cluded Neddy. 

“ What sort of things ? ” asked Daddy 
Dan, who was busy filling his pipe. 

“ Oh, all kinds,” answered Neddy, who 
was leaning back comfortably against the 
big locust, his hands clasped over his head 
that was covered over with crisp, fair curls. 
'' I’d like to get her a home. Daddy Dan, 


130 A PLUCKY VENTURE 

not rooms, you know, but a real house- 
home in the country, where she could see 
the stars and skies, and have green things 
growing round her, and where the sun 
would shine in all the windows, big, nice, 
strong trees would stretch out their boughs 
and keep off the wind and storm. We were 
talking about it all the other night, and she 
told me what she would like best. And we 
would have roses climbing over the porch, 
and flowers everywhere, and little yellow 
chickens, and a cow. And I would have 
Mama wear soft white dresses all the time, 
without thinking of the washing, and have 
real cream for breakfast every day.” 

You think with this page job you could 
manage all that?” asked Daddy Dan, 
slowly puffing at his pipe. 

'' Oh, no, not all at once,” answered 
Neddy, but Fred Rawlings says if you 
know how to work the ropes you get — 
pull.” 

“ Oh, you do ? ” said Daddy Dan grimly. 


'A PLUCKY VENTURE 131 

“ Fred says if you can get pull with a 
big man or two — ” 

‘"Who is Fred?” interrupted Daddy 
Dan rather sharply. 

'' Fred Rawlings, he is a page himself — 
he has just got in.” 

“ A little red-headed cock sparrow with 
blinking eyes ? ” asked Daddy Dan. 

Yes,” replied Neddy, recognizing the 
not very flattering description. “ Fve seen 
him,” said his old friend gruffly, “ and he 
is no good. Sonny. You’re better off spin- 
ning on your wheel through the sunshine 
than following his lead. But,” Daddy Dan 
paused to knock the ashes out of his pipe, 
Devon might give a boy like you a better 
chance than that — I would, I know.” 

'' Oh, yes, you would I am sure,” said 
Neddy quickly. I wouldn’t have even to 
ask you for a job, dear old Daddy Dan. 
But then you’re not a great Senator, with 
everybody bowing and scraping to you 
and trying to talk to you and no time to 


132 A PLUCKY VENTURE 


think of a boy like me. I tell you it took 
all the pluck I had to come up here to-day ; 
my heart was beating so loud I could al- 
most hear it as I came in that gate. I felt 
like turning back and giving up. But I 
thought of Mama and the house under the 
trees and the white dresses — and I just set 
my teeth together, and bolted in to find — 
only you here, Daddy Dan, only you. 
Why haven’t you been to see us again?” 
continued Neddy, clapping his old friend’s 
shoulder. “ Didn’t we treat you all right, 
Daddy Dan?” 

You did, sonny, you did indeed. I 
haven’t been treated so much to my liking 
this many a day. And — and,” Daddy Dan 
paused for one of his low chuckles, “ I 
don’t mind telling you I’ve been about as 
shaky as you were to-day ; worse, I reckon, 
for I’ve been to your door twice and turned 
away.” 

“Turned away ? Oh, Daddy Dan, why ? ” 

“ Scared,” answered Daddy Dan, with 


A PLUCKY VENTURE 133 

another chuckle, “ tough old leather hide 
that I am — downright scared, sonny. 
Couldn^'t get up nerve to face that pretty 
little mother of yours again. Thought, 
well — that she wouldn’t like it.” 

“ Oh, yes, she would, she would indeed,” 
was the eager assurance. 

“ Sure of that ? ” asked Daddy Dan, 
flashing one of his piercing glances at his 
little comrade. What did she say when 
I was gone. Out with it. Fair and 
square and honest. Sonny I — I won’t mind. 
Wasn’t it, ‘ That rough, clumsy old vaga- 
bond, why did you bring him here ? ’ ” 

“ Oh, no, no, no,'' cried Neddy ardently. 
“ She didn’t, honest and truly, she didn’t, 
Daddy Dan. She said just low and soft, 

‘ Poor, lonely man ! We must be kind to 
him, Neddy, just as kind as we can.’ ” 

'' Good,” said Daddy Dan, his rugged 
face clearing wonderfully. ‘‘ It’s all right 
then. Sonny. I’ll — I’ll come again. And 
you’d better start for home now, before it 


134 ^ PLUCKY VENTURE 


gets dark and she begins to worry about 
you. And if I were in your place, I don't 
think I’d strike Devon for that job until 
after Christmas. I hear they’re driving 
him pretty hard , over yonder,” with a nod 
to the white dome in the distance, and 
he is in a kicking temper just now.” 

‘‘Oh, is he?” said Neddy. “I’m glad 
I didn’t catch him, then.” 

“ So am I,” said Daddy Dan with a nod. 
“ But after Christmas, well, I reckon, 
things will smooth out a bit. It’s not long, 
only three weeks or so.” 

“ I’ll wait,” said Neddy decidedly. “ It’s 
a great deal better to wait. Won’t you 
come back to town with me. Daddy Dan? 
I’ve got an extra ticket.” 

“ Thank you. Sonny, no. I’d rather 
tramp it for awhile longer out here in the 
sunset. Looks pretty over there, doesn’t 
it ? ” with a wave of his hand to the far 
horizon. “ Lord, Sonny, if we could only 
see things always like that, all white and 


A PLUCKY VENTURE 13S 


gold and sunshine. If we could lift them 
out of the smoke and soot and grime. 
But we can’t. Sonny — keep up the steam 
as we may — we can’t.” 

Daddy Dan had risen and with his old 
grey hat pushed far back on his head stood 
facing the dream city that seemed floating 
in the sunset, a strange, sad look in his 
deep-set eyes. 

“ Run home to your mother,” he said 
suddenly, patting Neddy’s shoulder. “ Run 
home; it’s getting late.” 


CHAPTER X 

DOUBT AND DANGER 

The first snow was falling in playful 
little scurries when Daddy Dan came 
again. His big hat and coat were so 
powdered with feathery flakes that he 
paused to shake them off at the head of 
the second stair. 

The soft tinkle of a guitar came from 
Mrs. Ray’s half-open parlor door. She 
was singing the old evening hymn : 

Fading, still fading, 

The last beam is shining. 

Ave Maria. 

The day is declining; 

Safety and innocence 
Fly with the light; 

136 


DOUBT AND DANGER 137 

Temptation and danger 
Walk forth in the night. 

Ave Maria, audi nos. 

The visitor at the doorway listened, his 
brown hand clenching the balustrade as if 
to steady himself, for that music brought 
back memories of a long-lost past and 
touched his heartstrings into tremors of 
unforgotten pain. He stood motionless in 
the shadow until the singing had ceased 
and then tapped at the door. Neddy 
greeted him with a jubilant shout of wel- 
come. 

‘‘No, I won’t come in to-night. Sonny,” 
he said hesitatingly. “ Come out with me 
and take a walk.” 

“ Oh, yes, yes, if you don’t mind. 
Mama,” said Neddy gleefully. But his 
mother hesitated. It was one thing to 
have this doubtful acquaintance a safe 
guest at her fireside — it was another to 
trust her boy with him into the night of a 
great city. 


138 DOUBT AND DANGER 


“ It is stormy, Neddy dear, and you are 
not very strong yet. Can’t you persuade 
Daddy Dan to spend his evening here ? ” 
You’re right, madam, you’re dead 
right,” was the visitor’s quick reply. “If 
you don’t mind a few snowflakes, I will 
come in for a minute or two. I heard you 
singing as I came up the stairs,” he added 
as he took the chair Neddy pushed toward 
the fire. “ It sounded very ” — Daddy Dan 
paused as if vainly searching for a proper 
adjective, and concluded simply, “ very 
nice.” 

“Oh, that is Neddy’s favorite. I used 
to sing him to sleep with it in the long, 
long ago. It’s an old, old hymn,” said 
Mrs. Ray. 

“Yes, I’ve — I’ve — heard it before,” 
said Daddy Dan quietly. 

“ Then you must have been in our 
church. Daddy Dan. We’re Catholics, you 
know.” 

“ Are you ? I sort of thought as much,” 


DOUBT AND DANGER 139 


said Daddy Dan, nodding. No, I didn’t 
hear the hymn in church, unless, as some 
folks say, the woods are the biggest church 
of all. I heard it there, when the sun was 
going down, and the trail through the for- 
est was a blaze of golden light, and the 
music seemed to go with the rustle of the 
breeze, the chirping of the birds in the tree- 
tops, and all sorts of things soft and 
sweet.” 

And who used to sing it, Daddy 
Dan?” 

My wife. Sonny,” was the low answer. 

“ Oh, yes, yes,” said Neddy, “ I forgot. 
I told Mama about your wife and little 
baby and — we were so sorry for you, 
weren’t we. Mama ? ” 

Yes, dear,” said his mother gently. 
“ But — but — there are sorrows that it 
hurts to talk about, you know, Neddy.” 

Oh, I don’t mind him, ma’am ; we — 
we understand each other, don’t we. 
Sonny? And somehow with that singing 


140 DOUBT AND DANGER 

in my ears I’d like to tell you about her, 
the little girl I left sleeping in the pine 
woods twenty years ago. She was such a 
little girl, my Kitty, scarcely eighteen, just 
out of a convent school, where the nuns 
had kept her since her mother died twelve 
years before. It was a rough, wild coun- 
try where I found her blooming like a 
mountain pink, on the rocks. 

‘‘ Her father had been fooled out there by 
some wild-cat deal and had brought her 
out with him, thinking he could make a 
fortune for both. A nice, soft-spoken gen- 
tleman, that knew no more of the seamy 
side of life than I do of the South African 
jungle, ma’am. 

I tried to brace him up to it — we had 
claims close together — but it was no use 
— he couldn’t stand the racket and broke 
down. 

‘ If it were not for Kitty I could die 
easy, Dan,’ he said ; ^ I was mad to bring 
her out here. I ought to have left her 


DOUBT AND DANGER 141 

with the nuns. If I could only see her in 
safe hands before I go, married to some 
good, kind man.’ 

We’re a rough lot out here at the best,’ 
I said, ^ but I reckon I am as good as any 
of them. Will she have me ? ’ 

Aye, Dan. God bless you, she will,’ 
he said. And the old Spanish padre came 
and married us beside her father’s dying 
bed.” 

'' And you were good to her, I know — ” 
Mrs. Ray’s soft eyes were shining with 
sympathy at her visitor’s story. 

I tried to be, ma’am, I tried to be, God 
knows. I took her off to the hills and 
built a little cabin for her and made it as 
soft and warm as I could in that wild, 
rough place. She tried to do her best for 
me as she had vowed. She made and 
mended and cooked with those little white 
hands that had been taught to play on the 
harp and piano, while I kept on money- 
grubbing instead of taking her back where 


142 DOUBT AND DANGER 


she belonged. Then when the bitter win- 
ter set in and the snow was six feet deep 
in the mountain gulches, her baby came — 
and they both died. Ah ! madam — ” 
Daddy Dan’s deep voice shook, “ it was 
murder to have kept her there. I — I — 
ought to have been hanged.” 

'' Oh, no, no,” said Mrs. Ray, whose soft 
eyes were brimming at this crude but 
tender story. “ You must not blame your- 
self ; you were working for her, you know, 
only for her. Other women have borne 
the same hard life, the same trials. And 
sometimes I think they are happiest who 
die young. The world is so full of sor- 
rows and heartbreak, it is good to be — 
safe in Heaven.” 

“ You believe in Heaven, ma’am? ” asked 
Daddy Dan, flashing one of his keen 
glances at Neddy’s mother. 

“ Gee whizz ! of course she does,” inter- 
posed Neddy, before she could answer. 

Don’t you, Daddy Dan ? ” 


DOUBT AND DANGER 143 

“ I’d like to, Sonny,” was the slow an- 
swer ; “ I’d like to think there is a better 
world than this measly, cheating, cutthroat 
place we’ve got down here. But I don’t 
know, I don’t know. And all these sky- 
pilots of preachers I’ve heard seem to be at 
loggerheads with each other.” 

Oh, no, our preachers are not at log- 
gerheads, are they. Mama ? ” interrupted 
Neddy quickly. '' You’ve been to the wrong 
church. Daddy Dan. There’s only one real 
right one, you know; all the others get 
things mixed up. But we don’t. Daddy 
Dan. Every priest in the world preaches 
the same thing and they’ve been preaching 
the same thing ever since Our Lord was 
on earth. If you go to church with me 
some day, you’ll hear no loggerheading. 
Won’t you let me take you to our church. 
Daddy Dan, please ? ” 

Some day. Sonny, some day maybe I 
will,” was the answer. 

Then we’ll go Christmas,” continued 


144 DOUBT AND DANGER 


Daddy Dan’s young missionary promptly, 
striking while the iron was hot ; “ that is 
the finest day of all.” 

And Neddy launched into a glowing de- 
scription of Christmas celebrations, while 
Mama brought out the cookies from the 
little cupboard, and poured Daddy Dan his 
cup of tea, a growing pity in her heart for 
one who seemed to be walking such dark- 
ened ways. 

We’ll convert him, Mama,” said Neddy 
jubilantly when his guest had gone out 
again into the night. He has promised 
to go to church with me Christmas Day. 
We’ll show him there’s a Heaven then, 
won’t we. Mama ? ” 

And Mama kissed her boy’s fair fore- 
head and felt that it was just such childish 
guidance that could lead Daddy Dan into 
the Light. 

Neddy was late coming home next even- 
ing. The pink lamp had been burning for 
nearly half an hour, and Mama was begin- 


DOUBT AND DANGER 145 


ning to grow anxious about her boy, when 
he came bounding up the stairs and burst 
into the room^ breathless with excitement. 

“ Oh, Mama, Mama,’’ he cried, as he 
flung his arms about her neck, poor 
Daddy Dan ! poor Daddy Dan ! ” 

“What is it, Neddy? Is he ill? You 
are trembling all over, dear. Oh, what has 
happened ? ” asked his mother, in dismay. 

“ They’re going after him to-night. 
Mama, they are going to do something 
dreadful to him. I heard it all. Mama, I 
heard it all.” 

“ Who, where — oh, what do you mean, 
Neddy, darling?” 

“ Oh, I don’t know, I don’t know,” was 
the incoherent answer. “I only know he- 
is in some awful trouble. Mama, and 
they’re going to do him up somehow to- 
night. Oh, poor, dear Daddy Dan! I’ve 
got to save him. Mama, to help him.” 

“ Yes, dear, yes,” said his mother sooth- 
ingly, while all her fears and doubts about 


146 DOUBT AND DANGER 


their strange guest started up afresh. I 
was afraid there was something wrong 
about the poor man. Tell me, try to tell 
me quietly, what you heard, Neddy.’' 

“ It was in a big house on Capitol Hill, 
a sort of old-fashioned, shabby house. 
Mama. I went there with a special order. 
It was late and Mr. Mills told me it was 
all right for me not to come back. 

But the lady wasn’t satisfied with the 
silk, and sent me word to wait. I sat down 
in the back hall — since that pretty lady 
lit into me so I always try to keep out of 
sight.” 

"‘Yes, dear, yes; stop and take breath, 
Neddy,” said his mother, as the little nar- 
rator paused panting with excitement. 

“ There was a door half open, and some 
men inside drinking and smoking and 
talking fierce and angry. Mama. I couldn’t 
help hearing, but I didn’t pay much atten- 
tion until some one said ‘ Daddy Dan,’ and 
then, then I listened, oh, listened. For 


DOUBT AND DANGER 147 

they were saying such dreadful things 
about him, cursing and swearing about, 
about — oh. Mama, Mama,’' Neddy’s voice 
broke into a sob, “ I can’t bear to tell you. 
They said he had killed somebody — killed 
their Bill.” 

‘‘ Oh, Neddy, Neddy, darling,” Mama’s 
face blanched, “ are you sure ? ” 

“ Oh, yes. Mama, yes, I heard it plain. 
Poor Daddy Dan ! poor Daddy Dan ! ” 

Oh, I always felt there was something 
wrong, that he was hiding, Neddy, some- 
thing secret in his life, but — but I didn’t 
think it was as bad as this.” 

“ Oh, but maybe he couldn’t help it,” 
said Neddy eagerly. Maybe it was a fair 
fight, Mama. I am sure it was. I am sure 
their Bill struck first and Daddy Dan 
couldn’t stand that — he is too brave and 
fierce and strong. The men said that, too 
— that he was strong and would make a 
big fight, and that there would be hot work 
to-night, but they would be three to one 


148 DOUBT AND DANGER 


against hinij and he couldn’t stand that. 
And he can’t, Mama, he can’t you know. 
I must go tell him,” and the speaker’s lit- 
tle face kindled with resolve, ‘‘ I must go 
tell him to run away. There’s a night ses- 
sion at the Capitol, and I can catch him 
there before he quits work. And if you 
don’t mind, I’ll take him my Christmas 
money. I’ve got two dollars saved ; it 
might help him to get off.” 

Oh, Neddy, Neddy, darling. I’m afraid 
you are too little a boy, to get mixed up 
with desperate men,” said his mother 
timorously. Poor man ! poor Daddy 
Dan ! ” continued the gentle speaker, her 
soft eyes filling. “ He had such a good 
face, Neddy, so kind, so honest, so strong. 
To have killed some one ! Oh, it seems too 
dreadful.” 

“ Oh, maybe he really didn’t do it. 
Mama, or maybe he couldn’t help it. Poor 
Daddy Dan doesn’t believe in Heaven, you 
know; he has never learned to think of 


DOUBT AND DANGER 149 

Our Lord and His Blessed Mother, like we 
do; he has never been in a real church. 
What is there to keep him from doing 
wrong? We mustn’t blame him, Mama — 
we must just help him and save him if we 
can. Let me go, please, dear Mama, 
please.” 

And as Neddy flung his arms about her 
neck and she felt the hot tears on his young 
face, his mother’s fears and doubts gave 
way. 

'' Go then, my dear, go and God bless 
you, my own true, brave boy.” And with 
this gentle blessing echoing in his ear, 
Neddy sped on his way. 


CHAPTER XI 


A SURPRISE 

It was a clear, cold night. His young 
pulses all a-throb with the excitement of 
his errand, Neddy hurried on through the 
wide streets, whose darkness was aglow 
with electric lights that seemed to rival the 
stars that were twinkling with frosty radi- 
ance in the blue vault above. 

But the light did not reach Neddy's 
heart, for that was heavy with such gloom 
as had never touched its innocent depths 
before. 

Poor Daddy Dan ! lonely, friendless, home- 
less, perhaps even sinful, as he was, Neddy's 
only feelings were pity, loyalty and tender- 
ness as he hurried on to warn and save his 
old friend. Nearing the Capitol, he was 

150 


A SURPRISE 


151 

conscious of a thrill of excitement in the 
air. The streets were unusually wide 
awake, the cars crowded, cabs and car- 
riages were dashing forward toward the 
white dome that ablaze with electric 
splendor rose like a sunny dream palace 
from its terraced hill. 

Neddy knew his ground well here. 
Very early in his career Mama, who could 
boast of heroic blood, had led her boy up 
to this fair Temple of Liberty and shown 
him all its pictures, its statues, its storied 
halls, its inspiration. 

She had told him of the great-grand- 
father whose voice had echoed trumpet- 
toned through the Senate chamber, of the 
great-grand-uncle who had followed Per- 
ry’s flag in Lake Erie, of an ancestor still 
further back whose bold signature was at- 
tached to the mighty “ Declaration ” that 
had made this Western world anew. 

But Neddy had never seen the Capitol 
by night. Terrace and porticos, glittering 


A SURPRISE 


152 

with moon-like globes of light, seemed 
stretching into bewildering distance, eager, 
hurrying crowds were pressing up the wide 
stairs. All was life, strange, dazzling life, 
as if the darkness had burst into sparkle 
and glow. 

But with all this our little messenger 
had nothing to do. His business was not 
in those shining halls above, but down 
somewhere in the deep, dark recesses, 
where Daddy Dan kept up the steam. 
How to find the place was the perplexing 
question, for he felt the occasion demanded 
cautious inquiry that would awaken no sus- 
picion among the guardians of the place, 
or of the law. 

He was standing in the lower ter- 
race, thinking the matter over, when a 
familiar figure caught his eye. It was 
Fred Rawlings, in his dapper page 
uniform, locked arms, with a couple of 
official comrades, all on the lookout for a 
lark. 


A SURPRISE 


153 

“Fred!’’ hailed Neddy joyfully, “gee! 
I’m glad to find you.” 

“ Neddy Ray I ” exclaimed Fred, “ why, 
where on earth did you drop from? Nor- 
ris, Percy, this is my friend Neddy Ray, 
one of the good boys, who studies his 
catechism and says his prayers at night.” 

“ And whose mother always knows when 
he is out,” laughed Norris. 

“ Yes, she does,” answered Neddy good- 
humoredly, “ and I am out on special busi- 
ness to-night. Can you boys show me how 
I can get to the heating department? I 
want to find a man that works down there 
where they keep up the steam.” 

“ Steam isn’t in our line,” said Fred 
loftily. 

“ Nor work, either,” added Norris with 
a grin. “ But still, Freddy, you ought not 
to turn a friend down. We might give 
him the tip, you know.” 

“A tip?” said Freddy, staring. 

“Yes — the — the password, our pass- 


154 


A SURPRISE 


word/’ and Norris nudged his mate’s el- 
bow and grinned again. 

“Oh, yes, I — I — see,” said Freddy, 
“the password, of course.” 

“ You really can’t pass the official lines 
without it,” continued Norris to Neddy. 
“ There’s a big crowd to-night and we 
can’t have any outsiders Paul Prying 
round. They might bring in a Russian 
bomb or two and blow up the whole busi- 
ness.” 

“ Oh, I see,” said Neddy innocently. 

“ You think if we give him the word, it 
will be all right, Freddy?” asked Norris 
doubtfully. 

“ He’ll not peach on us for it? ” 

“ Oh, no, no, indeed, never,” interposed 
Neddy eagerly. 

“ Well, then, it’s — it’s ‘ Dinkspiddle- 
dun,’ ” said Norris gravely. “ That is the 
Greek for official business. Just go up to 
the first guide you see and whisper ‘ Dink- 
spiddledun,’ and he’ll take you wherever 


A SURPRISE 


155 

you want to go. You’ll find one right up 
there in the first corridor.” 

“ Oh, thank you,” said Neddy. “ It’s 
very good of you to help me, and I’ll never 
tell, you may be sure.” And he sprang up 
the wide steps that led to the Senate wing, 
leaving the roguish pages chuckling glee- 
fully at their joke. 

“ Lord ! what a saphead you’ve got for 
a friend, Freddy. Why, he hasn’t cut his 
milk teeth. ' Dinkspiddledun ! ’ Let’s steal 
up behind him and see who he tackles first, 
and how they take it.” 

No, sir, I’m out of it,” said the lad 
called Percy. There are too many big 
bugs that won’t stand fooling with around 
here to-night.” 

'' Oh, come on, Freddy,” said Norris. 

You’re not afraid. It’s too good a joke 
to miss.” But as Freddy, too weak to re- 
fuse, followed his naughty leader up the 
stairs, Norris, who had reached the broad 
portico, suddenly whirled around and 


A SURPRISE 


156 

caught him by the arm. Je-ru-salem 
jinks! he gasped. He has done it, sure 
enough. Bolt, Freddy, bolt, or our game 
will be up forever here.’’ And they both 
scrambled like hunted rabbits out of sight. 

For Fortune had favored Neddy. As 
he stood on the broad portico looking 
around for a guide, his eye fell on a tall, 
grey-coated figure standing in the shadow 
of one of the great pillars. 

He stepped forward, but the foolish 
password died on his lips, in a low cry of 
recognition, ‘‘ Daddy Dan — ” the words 
came almost with a sob — “ Daddy Dan ! ” 
“ Why, Sonny — you, you, here ! ” 

“ Oh, Daddy Dan, yes, yes, I came to 
tell you to go, to get away quick, quick.” 
The words tumbled over each other in 
Neddy’s excitement. They’re after you. 
Daddy ; they are looking for you.” 

Lord ! ” said Daddy Dan anxiously. 
“What is the matter. Sonny? You’re not 
sick again, little boy ? ” 


A SURPRISE 


157 


“ Oh, no — no, but I heard such dread- 
ful things to-day about you. Daddy Dan. 
I took an order to a house on Capitol Hill 
this afternoon and some men were there, 
three or four of them, talking about what 
they meant to do to you to-night. I heard 
all they said, and I came to tell you about 
it and beg you to get away before they 
can hurt you, Daddy Dan.” 

The words came in a breathless whisper, 
the little face upturned to Daddy Dan was 
sharp with eagerness and anxiety. 

Hurt me, Sonny ! Come back here — ” 
Neddy’s old friend drew the trembling boy 
further back into the shadow. “ Now, let 
us see if we can’t get this story straight. 
Who is going to hurt me ? ” 

Oh, I don’t know who they were. 
Daddy Dan, but they were swearing they 
would finish you to-night.” 

“ Oh, they were, eh ? ” said Daddy Dan, 
with a grim chuckle. “ Maybe I can take 
a hand in that sort of business myself.” 


158 


A SURPRISE 


“ Oh, it wouldn’t be any use,” faltered 
Neddy. They said they knew you’d make 
a fight, but they would be too strong for 
you, too many for you. Daddy Dan. Oh, 
won’t you go, please, back to the moun- 
tains, back to Peek-a-boo right now. I’ve 
brought you my Christmas money — only 
two dollars, but it will help maybe, help 
you to get away. Take it, please, and go, 
oh, please, go.” 

There, there — why, good Lord ! 
you’re not — not crying. Sonny ? ” 

“Yes, I am, I am. I can’t help it. I 
am so — so frightened for you. Daddy 
Dan. They said you — you — you had 
killed somebody.” 

“ Killed somebody ! ” echoed Daddy Dan 
in fierce amazement. 

“ Yes, killed their Bill,” said Neddy, 
struggling manfully with his sobs. 

“ Oh, little Sonny, little Sonny — ” 
Daddy Dan drew the little messenger close 
to him, while his deep voice shook 


A SURPRISE 


159 

strangely — and you came here about 
that ? Does your mother know ? ” 

“ Yes, she told me I could come to warn 
you, to save you. Daddy Dan/' 

“ Told you to stick to me in spite of 
that, in spite of all ? " 

“ Yes, yes, because I love you. I’d stick 
to you no matter what you’ve done. Only, 
go, please, go quick, for my sake. Take 
my money and go, please, please,” contin- 
ued Neddy, thrusting his two dollars in his 
old friend’s hand. 

Sonny — ” the strong arm tightened its 
hold and Daddy Dan’s voice grew very 
soft and low, '' don’t worry ; there’s no 
need. You’ve got things a bit mixed. 
I’ll explain it all to you and to your mother 
to-morrow. Just now, you can take my 
word for it I’ve done no harm, I haven’t 
killed anybody, and there is no need for 
me to run away. You have nothing to 
fear for old Daddy Dan to-night. But all 
the same, you’ve done a good thing in com- 


i6o 


A SURPRISE 


ing here to me, Sonny. You’ve steadied 
my grip. I was just standing here under 
the sky and stars wondering if that ever- 
lasting buzz and glare inside was worth 
while, if old Peek-a-boo wrapped in its 
mist clouds isn’t a good deal finer place 
than this.” 

“ Oh, no, Daddy Dan,” answered Neddy 
with an uplifted look to the great white 
dome, ” no. This is just the tip-top of 
everything.” 

You think so. Sonny?” 

Gee whizz! — yes,” replied Neddy. 

When a fellow gets here. Mama says, 
and stands fair and square for the right, 
like my great-grandfather did, it’s some- 
thing grand. 

‘‘ I can’t expect to do that, of course, 
but if I had a father or uncle or some- 
body like other boys have, to help me on, 
you bet I’d make for the top just as I 
did that day with you on old Peek-a-boo.” 

And you shall, by George ! you shall,” 


A SURPRISE 


i6i 

said Daddy Dan quite fiercely; then with a 
sudden change of tone, “ I mean you’ve 
struck it, struck it dead, Sonny. This hill- 
top is worth the climbing, worth the hold- 
ing, and to stand here fair and square for 
the right, though the winds blow and the 
storm bursts and a pack of hungry wolves 
are howling against you is worth while.' 

Now I must go back to work. Don’t 
worry about me. Clip off quick as you 
can -to that good mother of yours, and tell 
her matters are all right. I’ll come around 
some time to-morrow and explain things 
to you and to her. Sonny. It’s all right.” 
Daddy Dan squeezed Neddy’s hand in a 
parting clasp — all right — ” 

And reassured by the strong, cheery 
tone, Neddy hurried away to relieve 
Mama’s fears and anxiety by his return. 
He had not far to go, for as he pressed 
through the crowd gathered at the broad 
steps of the second terrace, a sweet, fa- 
miliar voice called his name. 


A SURPRISE 


162 

“ Mama ! ” he exclaimed, springing to 
her side with an eager bound that nearly- 
overturned a silken-robed Chinaman, who 
was making his stately way up the stairs. 
'' Why, Mama, you here ? ” 

“ Oh, yes, dear, yes, I scarcely hoped 
to find you, but I got so nervous, and Miss 
Whyte had tickets.’^ 

“ For reserved seats,” said Miss Whyte 
who stood beside Mama in all the glory of 
her brown, wavy hair and a purple velvet 
bonnet. Senator Devon sent them to 
Cousin Jane, and she is down with the grip 
and couldn’t come. So she gave them to 
me — to hear the Senator’s great speech 
to-night, my dear. I couldn’t think of 
venturing out alone in such a crowd, so I 
persuaded your mother to come.” 

“ And, oh, it’s good to have met you, 
Neddy,” said Mama, slipping her hand into 
her boy’s. “ I have been so worried. 
Have you seen — have you heard of — 
your friend ? ” 


A SURPRISE 


163 


‘‘ Yes, Mama, and it’s all right. He 
says there’s no danger. I got things mixed 
up somehow. He’s coming to-morrow to 
explain,” said Neddy in Mama’s ear, as 
they pressed on with the rest up the wide 
terrace stairs through the great bronze 
doors into the tesselated corridors, bril- 
liant with light and life, to the Senate 
chamber, where he found himself wedged 
in by Mama’s side, in the corner of a gal- 
lery that commanded the whole bewilder- 
ing scene. 

A blaze of light, bright as the noon-day 
sun upon the heights of Peek-a-boo, fell 
upon the stately room below where the 
Senate was in session. 

Neddy had only a vague comprehension 
at first of the stirring picture before him. 
The wealth, beauty, fashion, and power of 
the Capital crowded the encircling galler- 
ies. Statesmen, soldiers, foreign diplo- 
mats, — elegant women gowned in the 
latest Parisian styles ; fair young debutantes 


164 


A SURPRISE 


and white-haired “ society leaders ” seemed 
to form a brilliant frame for the wide 
arena below, where every desk was filled 
and the ring of excited voices from side 
to side told that great opposing forces 
were already clashing and the battle was 
on. 

‘‘ I really don’t know what it’s all about, 
my dear,” said little Miss Whyte in a stage 
whisper. Cousin Jane tried to explain it 
to me, but I couldn’t exactly understand. 
Except this, that Senator Devon is stand- 
ing as he always does for something that 
he believes just and right and there is a 
powerful party against him. 

“ They wanted a Bill put through Con- 
gress, he thought was not fair or honest, 
and he killed it, Cousin Jane says, and it 
has brought on a great political fight. 
There, there, he is rising to speak now — ” 
little Miss Whyte’s excited whisper was 
lost in the expectant murmur that swelled 
through the crowded galleries, as from a 


A SURPRISE 


165 

desk that had been half screened by a tall 
bouquet of American Beauty roses bearing 
the dainty card of Miss Mildred Bond, 
the great Senator rose. 

And Mama sat pale and breathless, while 
a low, startled cry burst from Neddy’s 
lips. 

For the tall, gaunt, rugged figure stand- 
ing there in the fearless strength of a 
mountain oak as it breasts the storm, was 
“ Daddy Dan.” 


CHAPTER XII 


CONCLUSION 

Daddy Dan’s quick ear must have caught 
that low, startled cry, for he flashed a swift 
upward glance at the galleries, a glance 
that swept over statesmen, soldiers, diplo- 
mats, over the rows of press reporters 
ready to catch his words, over the ranks of 
beautiful women bending forward in eager 
interest, over all the power and pride and 
wealth and rank gathered around him, and 
his eye rested on one little, boyish face — 
on Neddy standing bewildered and uncom- 
prehending at his mother’s side. 

And all that was strongest, truest, best, 
in Daddy Dan’s great mind and soul 
seemed to leap to meet that innocent ques- 
tioning look of the little boy who loved 
him. 


i66 


CONCLUSION 


167 

“ Mama, Mama,” gasped Neddy, “ it’s 
Daddy Dan speaking down there ! It’s 
— it’s — Daddy Dan ! — Mama.” 

My dear, my dear,” whispered little 
Miss Whyte in shocked reproof, you 
must not give him that name here. It’s 
the campaign cry in his own State, of 
course, but here he is always and only 
Senator Devon.” 

Senator Devon ! Daddy Dan ” Senator 
Devon! The truth burst upon Neddy at 
last. His old friend and chum, comrade 
and confidant, whose rugged hand he had 
held, on whose strong heart he had leaned, 
was the great Senator whose name rang 
through the length and breadth of the 
land. Daddy Dan, the lonely old outcast 
of Peek-a-boo, the friendless guest on 
whom even gentle Mama looked with sus- 
picion. Daddy Dan, whom he had come to 
warn of threats and danger, to-night was 
Senator Devon ! The situation was too be- 
wildering for Neddy. He could not real- 


i68 


CONCLUSION 


ize it. He could only sit there mute and 
breathless, vaguely conscious of some pain 
of loss in his young heart, while the famil- 
iar voice of his old friend rang in his ear, 
' and Daddy Dan stood before him, the muf- 
fling great coat indeed thrown aside, but 
otherwise, his old, rugged, simple self, for 
Senator Devon did not follow style or fash- 
ion. 

It was Daddy Dan’s old eagle glance 
that swept that brilliant audience. Daddy 
Dan’s tones that held it spellbound, as in 
fearless defiance, scathing sarcasm, his 
words poured forth’ like the mountain tor- 
rent, leaping over rocks and gorge, a flood 
of fierce, fiery, rugged eloquence that bore 
down the falsehood, trickery, and deceit 
reared against him, as if they were barri- 
cades of stubble and straw. 

The speech was Senator Devon’s master- 
piece, the crowning triumph of his political 
career, and against all rules and precedents 
and cries of “ Order,” the audience burst 


CONCLUSION 


169 


into applause that could not be restrained. 

Little Miss Whyte split her carefully 
mended gloves to swell the handclapping. 
Miss Mildred Bond leaned over the bal- 
cony, • glowing with exultant pride, even 
the impassive Oriental faces in the Diplo- 
matic Gallery kindled into life. 

Only Mama sat motionless, mute, with 
soft-flushed cheeks and starry bright eyes, 
understanding as Neddy could not under- 
stand, all that this meant to her boy, her 
trusting, simple-hearted little boy, who had 
given to Daddy Dan a love and loyalty 
that all Senator Devon’s wealth could not 
buy, nor his power command. 

And still feeling as if they were mov- 
ing in a bewildering dream, Neddy and his 
mother went home, letting little Miss 
Whyte chatter on the way unconscious of 
the evening’s revelations. 

“ Oh, Mama, Mama,” said Neddy at last 
when they were safe in their own little 
nest, “ I don’t understand what it all 


170 


CONCLUSION 


means. I can’t understand, Mama. Why 
did Daddy Dan fool us so, why did he tell 
me such — such — stories ? ” 

“ I think if you will remember, Neddy, 
all the stories were true,” answered his 
mother, with a smile. “ Only, you did not 
quite understand them as he did. He told 
you his name was ‘ Daddy Dan,’ and it is 
with those who think most of him in his 
own home State, in the rugged West; he 
told you he was working at the Capitol, 
keeping up the steam, and he does, dear, 
the steam of power that runs this great 
government ; he told us he was lonely, 
friendless, homeless, — and I think, dear, 
with all his strength, his wealth, he has 
missed God’s greatest and sweetest bless- 
ings, Faith and Love, and Home. And 
so he is poor, dear, for a man like Senator 
Devon knows there are things more 
precious than power and gold. And if he 
fboled you, or let you fool yourself, Neddy, 
I think it was because he found it so 


CONCLUSION 


171 

strange and sweet to have a little boy love 
and trust him, not for his riches nor his 
power nor his name nor his place, but just 
as poor, lonely, friendless ' Daddy Dan/ ” 
And in her clear-seeing mother love 
Mama was right, as the next day proved. 
Early in the morning a big basket of roses 
bearing Senator Devon’s card arrived by 
special messenger, with a note for Mrs. 
Ray. 

My dear Madam,” it ran, ‘‘ Daddy Dan 
is shaking in his boots with fear of your 
displeasure. If you do not forbid, he will 
come this evening to explain what per- 
haps may seem high treason to your kind- 
ness and hospitality. Sincerely yours, 

Daniel B. Devon. 

And as Mama did not forbid. Daddy 
Dan came — when the pink lamp was 
burning and the fire aglow. The same old 
Daddy Dan that Neddy had known, with 
no trace of the great Senator whose speech 


172 


CONCLUSION 


of the previous night was in every paper 
in the United States this evening. It was 
just the same, plain, old Daddy Dan who 
shook Mama’s hand as if the privilege were 
really more than he had a right to expect, 
and then, seating himself in the big chair, 
drew Neddy to his favorite perch on its 
side and began to explain briefly and 
bluntly. 

“ You could have knocked me down with 
a feather, madam, when I saw you and 
Sonny facing me last night. I did not 
mean you should find me out in that way ; I 
intended to come to-day decently and make 
a clean breast of it. I don’t know that I 
can make things plain to a gentle little 
woman like you, but when I took to the 
mountains last September, I was about as 
fierce and savage and cantankerous as a 
hungry catamount. That darned bay 
fever capped the climax with me, I sup- 
pose, but there was a deal more than that 
below. I was just done out with trickery 


CONCLUSION 


m 


and treachery and lying and leg-pulling, if 
you will forgive the plain Western word, 
madam. I had been so badgered with flat- 
terers and toadies, men, women and chil- 
dren cringing to me for money and influ- 
ence and help, dirty scoundrels wanting to 
buy me and bribe me, and not a living 
creature in this whole world to care really 
whether I lived or died, except as it touched 
his or her interest — well, as I say, ma’am, 
the hay fever touched the button and I 
bolted for the mountains, to get away from 
the whole push, to breathe in air that 
wasn’t heavy with selfishness and greed 
and deceit. 

And there — up in the old cabin at 
Peek-a-boo, where I was camping for a day 
or two, out of all reach as I thought. Sonny 
here tumbled in on me as you have heard. 
What sort of an old beggar, or tramp I 
was he didn’t know or care, but he seemed 
to take to me right off. Lord! you can’t 
imagine how it hit me, ma’am. To have a 


174 


CONCLUSION 


little chap looking up at you with a pair 
of innocent blue eyes, offering to see you 
through a hospital scot free, or pull you 
into a five dollar a week job. And then 
the way he talked about you, madam, and 
how he had to look out for you — not 
whining or begging, as everybody did, 
from me, but just sociable and trusting — 
you can’t think what it was to me, madam, 
something as if one of those hard, sun- 
baked plains over which I have sometimes 
ridden half mad with thirst, had been 
broken up suddenly by the sweet ripple of 
a mountain stream. It was so, so fresh- 
ening, madam, that I pined for another 
draught, and so I came here meaning to 
stretch out a friendly hand to the little chap 
and help him on. 

But what I saw,” continued Daddy 
Dan, his voice growing softer and lower, 
“ what I saw here checked that hand. It 
seemed to me, to an old, grim fellow who 
had been standing for years like one of 


CONCLUSION 


175 


those big bronzes they set up here in the 
Squares, high and lonely with all the flow- 
ers at his feet but beyond his reach, it 
seemed to me that little Sonny had here 
more than old Dan Devon with all his 
mines and ranches and stocks and bonds 
could give. It seemed to me that this love- 
lined little nest you had made for your boy 
was too safe, too pure, too sweet for me to 
stir or shake with a breath of change. 

And so I hesitated. I let you welcome 
me as old Daddy Dan, the doubtful, per- 
haps disreputable. Daddy Dan. It couldn’t 
last long, I was sure. You were bound to 
find me out, but you can’t tell what these 
stolen hours of simple love and childish 
trust have been to me, how they have made 
me see earth, aye and Heaven anew.” 

I understand,” said Neddy’s mother 
gently. “ I understood it all, I think, last 
night. And — we forgive you, don’t we, 
Neddy?” she added, with her bright smile. 

“ Even for killing that Bill,” said Daddy 


176 


CONCLUSION 


Dan, stretching out his hand to clasp 
Neddy’s, while his deep-set eyes twinkled. 

Though there are many who would like 
to hang me for it yet. Sonny, still we 
downed them, I think, downed them last 
night. And I’ll tell you a secret nobody 
knows. It was the sight of a little boy face 
in the gallery that fired me for the fight. 
I knew there was one little chap in that big 
staring crowd that loved me, trusted me, 
would stick to me in spite of judge or jury 
— and had brought his last Christmas dol- 
lar to help Daddy Dan out.” 

And I’d never have done that if I had 
known you were a Senator, said Neddy 
simply. But now — now we can be 
friends just the same — the same as ever — 
can’t we. Daddy Dan ? ” 

“ Can’t we ? ” echoed Daddy Dan. 
“You bet we can and will. Friends! 
Why, I’d throw up my job at steaming up 
things yonder to-morrow if it stood be- 
tween you and me. Friends — always and 


CONCLUSION 


177 


forever, Sonny,” and Daddy Dan's strong 
hand tightened over Neddy’s in a grip of 
steel. 

And friends always and forever they 
were, as Neddy wished. 

Though Daddy Dan hated, as he said, 
to stir the dainty little nest under the 
eaves, it brightened visibly under his 
friendly touch. Neddy had never known 
such a Christmas, with real roses and vio- 
lets filling the little rooms with summer 
fragrance, and Daddy Dan as Santa Claus 
longing to provide everything from a 
Canadian toboggan to an electric top. 

And he went to church as he had prom- 
ised, the dark, piercing eyes that watched 
the solemn service with grave interest 
softening wonderfully as they fell upon 
Neddy, in his red cassock and white sur- 
plice moving reverently around the radiant 
Christmas altar. 

After Christmas Neddy went back to 


CONCLUSION 


178 

school, for Daddy Dan found a place for 
Mama in a great Library, where she took 
care of books instead of sewing her pretty 
eyes out, and Aunt Livy came across the 
street to cook the dinner and wash the 
rosebud plates. And as the months went 
by and winter brightened into spring, 
Neddy had even pleasanter times with 
Daddy Dan, long walks in the country 
when school hours were over, climbs over 
the Maryland hills, merry half-holidays 
fishing in the river and creek. 

It was on one of these gala afternoons 
Neddy found himself on well-remembered 
grounds. By a short cut through a belt of 
woods. Daddy Dan led to the terraced 
slopes of “ Sunset View.” But all had 
changed since Neddy’s plucky effort to see 
Senator Devon here six or more months 
ago. The builder’s scaffolding was down, 
the broad, quaint house stood embowered 
in bud and blossom, the great oaks that 
bent over it were green with fresh young 


CONCLUSION 


179 

leaves ; roses clambered over the wide 
porches, all was beauty and bloom. The 
sun was shining on every side — it was the 
very embodiment of Neddy’s dream. 

After he had raced delightedly over the 
little farm, where an honest Irishman had 
charge of barn and stable and poultry yard, 
Neddy flung himself down in the soft grass 
under the old locust where Daddy Dan, 
seated on the stone bench, was smoking 
his pipe, just as on that other afternoon six 
months ago. 

Well, what do you think of it. Sonny? ” 
he asked. 

“ Oh, it’s fine, it’s the nicest place I ever 
saw, Daddy Dan. If I were you. I’d live 
here all the time.” 

“ I’m thinking about it,” answered 
Daddy Dan slowly, Yes, I’m thinking 
about it. Sonny. Only it’s a little lone- 
some, don’t you think? Now if I could 
have a nice, lively young chap like you to 
keep me company he could have a pony in 


i8o 


CONCLUSION 


the stable, all the dogs he wanted, and, 
well, pretty near everything he asked. 
How would you like the job? '' 

“ Oh, but I — I — couldn’t leave Mama,” 
said Neddy quickly, though the “ job ” was 
a tempting one, we must confess. 

“ No, you couldn’t, that’s true. Sonny. 
I’m such a dull, blundering sort of fel- 
low I don’t know how to talk to her about 
it, but I thought, perhaps, if you should ask 
her — ” Daddy Dan shook out his pipe 
and there was a queer tone in his voice — 
“ if you should ask her, she might come, 
too.” 

‘'Mama come, too!” echoed Neddy in 
bewilderment. “ Why, that would be fine. 
I’ll ask her. Daddy Dan. I’ll ask her to- 
night.” 

“Will you. Sonny? Tell her I’ve tried 
to ask her myself three times, but some- 
how I couldn’t get it out. I thought may- 
be if you — you talked it over — ” Daddy 
Dan’s hand stroked the fair, curly head 


CONCLUSION i8i 

that was close to his knee — it might 
come easier — for both of us. So, per- 
haps, you’ll go back into your old line of 
business once more, and take a special de- 
livery to your little mother for me. Tell 
her you bring her Daddy Dan’s heart. 
Sonny, with all that it means; that every 
beat of it is for her — and for you; that 
if she will take it and, well, let me be like 
one of these big old trees she talked of, a 
guard and shelter for you both, I will be 
the happiest man on earth.” 

Neddy’s blue eyes opened in bewilder- 
ment for a moment — then he sprang to 
his feet and flung his arms about his old 
friend’s neck. 

“ I understand, oh. Daddy Dan, I under- 
stand. And, oh, I’d like it, I’d love it 
better than anything in the whole world! 
I’d be your own boy then really and no one 
could ever cut me out. Oh, I’ll ask her 
to-night.” 

And with this little special messenger 


CONCLUSION 


182 

pleading Daddy Dan’s cause^ Mama could 
not say “ No.” 

So it happened that a few months later 
there was a quiet little wedding at Father 
Maurice’s rectory, and Neddy was “ best 
man,” and before fashionable Washington 
had recovered from the shock of surprise. 
Mama and Neddy were off with Daddy 
Dan for a trip to Europe, where they spent 
six wonderful months of delight. Neddy 
had never pictured such happiness in his 
wildest dreams. 

“ Sunset View ” was waiting for them 
when they came home^ and fashionable 
Washington trooped out in brilliant num- 
bers to see Senator Devon and his bride. 
Even Miss Mildred Bond’s disappointed 
and envious eyes could find nothing to 
criticize in the beautiful simplicity of the 
home or its dainty, gracious mistress, while 
Neddy, rosy and sturdy from his months 
of travel abroad, won every heart. 

But though “ Daddy Dan’s ” home must 


CONCLUSION 


183 

necessarily be open to the great, the wise 
and the gay, the humble friends of old are 
not forgotten there. 

“ Cousin Jane ’’ sews out at Sunset View 
for two happy months every year. Little 
Miss Whyte smooths her wavy brown hair 
for frequent visits to her '' old friend,’' 
Mrs. Senator Devon. Tom Griggs always 
finds a hearty welcome. Bob Dixon and 
his mates troop out every half-holiday for 
exciting games of ball, tennis and golf. 
Aunt Livy rules with undisputed sway in 
the kitchen, and “ Abe Linkum ” wields hoe 
and rake with loyal pride on the spacious 
grounds. 

Mama wears the soft, cloud-white gowns 
that Neddy loves, and roses are blooming 
not only in her belt, but in her cheeks. 

And Neddy with a strong father hand to 
help him is making for the top ” as fast 
as a bright boy with the way opening clear 
before him can. 

While “ Daddy Dan,” who has reached 


1 84 


CONCLUSION 


the tip-top of things here below, is learn- 
ing to look higher still. Gentle hands have 
guided him to the Faith — and beyond 
dome and spire and mist-veiled peak he 
sees the Heaven in which he believes and 
to which he must climb. 


PRINTED BY BENZIGER BROTHERS, NEW YORK. 


Standard Catholic Books 

PUBLISHED BY 

BENZIGER BROTHERS, 

CINCINNATI: NEW YORK: Chicago: 

343 MAIN ST. 36 AND 38 BARCLAY ST. 211-213 MADISON ST. 


DOCTRINE, INSTRUCTION, DEVOTION. 


Abandonment; or Absolute Stirrender of Self to Divine Providence. 

Rev. J. P. Caussade, S.J. net, o 40 

Adoration op the Blessed Sacrament. Tesni^re. net, 1 25 

Anecdotes and Examples Illustrating the Catholic Catechism. 
Selected and Arranged by Rev. Francis Spirago, Professor of 
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I 25 

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II 


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Monk’s Pardon, The. Raoul de Navery. 

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PiLKiNGTON Heir, The. A Novel. By Anna T. Sadlier. 
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Red Inn of St. Lyphar, The. A Romance of La Vend^ 

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